Beauty chain Bodycare is returning to UK high streets with 17 new store locations planned, following its collapse into administration last September which led to the closure of all 147 branches.
Comeback After Administration
The retailer was bought out of administration in April by an investment consortium led by former Body Shop and Molton Brown chief executive Charles Denton. Bodycare has now revealed the locations of 17 new outlets, with ambitions to launch 15 within a 12-month period.
The new stores will feature content creator studios, product display areas, demonstration zones, and live broadcasting facilities as part of a digital-first strategy.
First Store Reopening
The first outlet to relaunch is Bodycare's Sheffield branch in The Moor Shopping Centre, which will welcome shoppers back this month. A notice on the shopfront states: "Sheffield, we're so back."
A post on The Moor Sheffield's Facebook page in June reads: "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."
Store Locations
The locations are predominantly in the North and Midlands, including Leicester, Northampton, Bradford, Leeds, and Wakefield. The full list of 17 stores set to open includes: The Moor, Sheffield; Highcross, Leicester; Derbion, Derby; Merry Hill, Brierley Hill; The Broadway, Bradford; The Mall, Blackburn; St Johns, Leeds; Mill Gate, Bury; The Centre, Livingston; The Bridges, Sunderland; Cwmbran Centre, Cwmbran; Metrocentre, Gateshead; The Fort, Glasgow; Frasers Plus Luton, Luton; Golden Square, Warrington; Grosvenor Shopping, Northampton; Trinity Walk, Wakefield.
Bodycare has hinted at more new stores, stating on its website: "We're just getting started."
Company History
Established in 1970 on a Lancashire market stall by Graham and Margaret Blackledge, Bodycare was under the ownership of investment firm Baaj Capital when it went under. It stocks products from renowned beauty brands such as L'Oreal, Nivea, and Elizabeth Arden.
