Bodycare launches new Studio Stores across UK
Bodycare has opened two new high-street studios and plans 15 more by 2026, backed by a fresh investment round and a focus on community, content and AI-driven retail.
Bodycare has opened two new high-street studios in Derby and Sheffield and is targeting 15 more sites by the end of 2026, with a goal of more than 150 locations across the UK over the next five years.
New Studio Store Rollout
Bodycare’s new “Studio Store” format is designed to drive product discovery and repeat visits. The stores feature in-store demonstration zones, feature screens, live broadcast studios and creator spaces as part of a wider digital-first strategy. The brand is moving beyond its traditional value-beauty model to include K-beauty, fine fragrance ranges and professional piercing studios.
The company’s managing director, David Stern, said the store was created “from the get-go” to be a community hub. “Retail is supposed to be fun. You’re supposed to be able to find what you want. You’re supposed to look forward to what you’re finding,” he added.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Target new sites by end-2026 | 15 |
| Target total sites over 5 years | >150 |
| Fenty price high-street | £38 |
| Fenty price Bodycare | £12 |
Community and Content Focus
Bodycare’s “Live @ Bodycare” concept offers shoppers free creator spaces with lighting and kit for filming social media footage. CMO Tash Courtenay-Smith highlighted the “one-to-one” dialogue between staff, customers and the community. She said the academy, launching this autumn, will support creators of all experience levels with training in live presenting and best practice.
The brand’s new stores also host local influencers and community members for TikTok Lives and other content creation. Courtenay-Smith stressed that creators are meeting the brand in person, not just being shoe-horned into campaigns.
AI and Value Strategy
Earlier this month, it was reported that Bodycare had secured a new investment round led by early-stage venture capital firm Arāya Ventures, entrepreneur Dilesh Mehta and a syndicate of retail operators, technology specialists and brand builders. The funding aims to accelerate the return to the high street and develop an AI-powered retail model.
Stern explained that AI digitises the stores and optimises layouts, product assortments and pricing for each location. It also helps optimise content creation and frees up tills and merchandising staff to focus on the shop floor.
Despite the new format, Bodycare continues to offer value. “We’re still offering value, we’re just offering it at a very different level,” Stern said. He pointed to the Derby shop’s range of brands such as Bondi Sands, Yes Studio and Monday Haircare, and noted that Fenty is sold for £12 compared with £38 on the high street.
The retailer plans to open in places like Leicester, Bradford, Cumberland Wales, Telford, Sunderland, Burring and Blackbird, targeting communities that have limited access to the brands, products and studio experiences Bodycare offers.
Bodycare’s first two studios are in Derby and Sheffield, and the company is poised to expand its community-centric, AI-enhanced retail model across the UK.
