Bodycare Returns to UK High Street with 17 New Stores After Collapse

Beauty retailer Bodycare is returning to the UK high street with 17 new stores, with plans to open 15 within the space of one year. The brand collapsed into administration last September, resulting in the closure of all 147 stores.

Acquisition and Revival

In April this year, it was announced that Bodycare would return after being acquired from administration by an investment group led by former Body Shop and Molton Brown CEO Charles Denton. On its website, Bodycare has now revealed the locations of 17 new stores.

New Store Format and Locations

The stores will feature content creator studios, demonstration zones, and live broadcast studios as part of a digital-first strategy. The locations are mostly in the North and Midlands, including Leicester, Northampton, Bradford, Leeds, and Wakefield. The first store to reopen is Bodycare's Sheffield branch at The Moor Shopping Centre, which will welcome customers back this month. A message on the store reads: “Sheffield, we’re so back.”

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

A post on The Moor Sheffield’s Facebook page in June stated: “Bodycare, the value health and beauty retailer, is making its return to the high street – and we’re thrilled that The Moor Sheffield will be the first out of six new stores to open. Shoppers can look forward to a brand-new 'Bodycare Studio' format, including in-store demonstration zones, feature screens, live broadcast studios and creator spaces as part of a wider digital-first strategy. An official opening date is coming soon – stay tuned for further details as we look forward to welcoming customers back!”

Further Expansion

Bodycare has hinted at more new stores to come, with its website stating: “We’re just getting started.” The company was founded in 1970 on a Lancashire market stall by Graham and Margaret Blackledge and had been owned by investment firm Baaj Capital at the time of its collapse. It sells products from well-known beauty brands including L'Oreal, Nivea, and Elizabeth Arden.