Boots will open its first new look ‘store of the future’ outside of London tomorrow, in Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre.
The group launched its new store format in London’s Covent Garden back in June as part of its wider plans to re-invigorate its offer to lift sales.
The latest 27,986 sq. ft. store in Sheffield features new Beauty and Wellness halls which the retailer hopes will win back shoppers from emerging rivals in the sector.
The Beauty Hall will showcase over 300 brands, including Fenty Beauty, Urban Decay and Florence by Mills with advice offered by the ‘Boots Beauty Crew’. It will also feature an Instagram point and two beauty studios.
The Sheffield outlet will be home to Boots biggest wellness range outside London, with 25 new brands including Beauty Kitchen and Equi London.
In Pharmacy, customers will have access to ‘fast lanes’ and secure lockers to collect their prescriptions, extra advice and consultation spaces, as well a “warmer and friendlier” waiting area.
As of its sustainability strategy, the store will feature an area for refilling water bottles and plastic bags have been replaced by brown paper alternatives.
Sebastian James, Managing Director of Boots UK & ROI, said: “Our new Sheffield Meadowhall store is a truly exciting moment for us – our first new look store outside of London, and in a city where Boots has had a presence for 135 years.
“The store is full of exciting beauty brands, ideas for living well and services to help you get better, all with the great care that Boots colleagues give. As we transform our stores we will learn what people love and want from this shop and this will help us shape a blueprint for our whole 2,500 store estate.”
Boots recently announced plans to close 200 of stores following a period of lacklustre performance. Its sales have weakened as a result of the tough trading conditions, underinvestment in its stores, and increased competition from value-oriented chains and online beauty retailers.
NAM Implications:
- Another long overdue shot in the arm for Boots, following its Covent Garden initiative…
- …brimful of ideas, all of which could help…
- Only issue is whether Walgreens will allow the funding necessary for a national roll-out? (See Sunday Times – 23/6/2019)
