Holland and Barrett opens Cardiff Experience Store as wellness retailer doubles down on product, tech and services

Holland & Barrett has opened its latest concept store. Situated in Cardiff, this is designed to engage, inspire, and elevate the way its customers approach their well-being.

Highlights include:

A cushion wall, made with Instagram in mind; A wellness mission gondola - curating products tailored to customer needs; Branded bays - giving partner brands the space to tell their story and connect with people in a more meaningful way; New self-checkouts; a Click & Collect section.

“This store turns heads, sparks curiosity, and delivers an experience that must be felt in person (you know, like being punk and showbiz). It’s not just about looking good - it’s about making people feel their best,” says Richard Fisher, Design Manager at Holland & Barrett.

Nick Gerrard, Property and Format Director, comments: “A few months ago we got a group of our best people together to discuss how we move our retail format on again. The aim was to think about how we expand what we do experientially and with partners, bringing H&B to life in an ever better way.”

“After a ton of hard work here it is, the new Experience Store on Cardiff Queen St. Everything H&B do is stepped on in this store: product, tech and services. You can also get the highest quality diagnostic tests in partnership with Randox and we’ve got a Wellness Studio offering classes in pilates, yoga and meditation through local experts.”

He adds: “I’m hugely proud of the way this has been delivered from thoughts to renders to design to reality and shows the strength of cross-functional working we have in H&B with lots of help from our partners and suppliers. Huge thanks to all our colleagues and suppliers involved.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Physical stores will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in March, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.