At a glance

Bodycare is reopening its store at Merry Hill on 10 October, marking its return to the original location with a new Studio Store concept. This opening is part of Bodycare's broader effort to revitalise high streets and shopping centres across the UK, offering a space for product discovery and community engagement. The store will feature a Creator Studio for local creators and aims to provide a fresh shopping experience with frequent new product arrivals.

The much-loved beauty retailer returns to its original unit with a new-generation Studio Store and a grand opening on Saturday 10 October

Bodycare is back at Merry Hill.

The much-loved beauty retailer will celebrate the grand opening of its fifth new-generation Studio Store on Saturday 10 October, returning to the very same unit on the lower mall that shoppers across the West Midlands knew and loved.

Merry Hill follows successful openings in Sheffield, Derby, Leicester and Bradford, as Bodycare continues its comeback and investment in Britain’s high streets and shopping centres.

But this isn’t the Bodycare shoppers remember.

Located opposite Asda and next to JD Sports, the new Studio Store has been designed around discovery, giving customers a reason to pop in again and again.

New product drops arrive every few days, alongside an extensive range of Korean beauty, an expanded Technic cosmetics offer, trending brands and the everyday health and beauty essentials Bodycare has always been known for, all at great value.

At the heart of the store is a free-to-use Creator Studio, giving local creators, influencers, charities, schools, clubs and community groups a professional space to create, collaborate and share their stories. More than 450 local creators have joined Bodycare’s creator community since the first Studio Store opened in Sheffield this summer.

The Merry Hill opening is also part of Bodycare’s wider investment in people. The business is creating new jobs, investing in careers and welcoming experienced Bodycare colleagues back into the business.

Bodycare CEO Charles Denton said: “Bodycare exists to be the place for discovery. Every day there’s something new to find, whether that’s a new product drop, a brand you’ve never tried or a great find at a brilliant price. The question we want every shopper to ask is: is it worth popping in today? Our job is to make sure the answer is always yes.

“Merry Hill was an easy decision for us. It’s one of the UK’s great retail destinations, welcoming more than 15 million visitors a year from right across the West Midlands, and it has exactly the energy we’re looking for. Our Studio Stores are about much more than selling products. They’re places to discover, create, connect and have fun, and we want to play a real role in the local community.”

Bodycare CMO Tash Courtenay-Smith added: “Coming back to our original unit at Merry Hill is a really special moment for us. So many people have told us they grew up shopping at Bodycare here, and we can’t wait to show them what we’ve become. We’ve got a brilliant grand opening planned, with plenty of surprises.”

Jonathan Poole, centre manager at Merry Hill, said: “Bodycare has always been a firm favourite with our visitors, so we’re thrilled to be welcoming the brand back to Merry Hill, and we’re looking forward to celebrating its return with a fun-filled grand opening weekend. The new 3,000sq ft store, located next to JD Sport on the lower mall, brings a fresh new look to a much-loved name and is a fantastic addition to the centre’s extensive beauty and health offer.

“With a contemporary new look, a brilliant array of products, a Creator Studio and an on-site piercing service, there’s plenty for both loyal fans and new shoppers to explore when Bodycare reopens its doors at Merry Hill on Saturday 10th October at 10am.”

EVERYONE IS INVITED

The grand opening on Saturday 10 October will be a full day of celebration:

• 9am: VIP creator preview
• 10am: doors open for the grand opening
• A live performance around midday, with very special surprise guests
• A DJ all day
• Colour analysis
• A beauty masterclass in the Creator Studio
• Goody bags and giveaways

Whether you want to discover the latest beauty drops, try out the Creator Studio, stock up on everyday essentials or just see what all the excitement is about, everyone is invited.

With further openings planned across the UK, Bodycare is bringing its combination of value, discovery and community to even more towns and cities.

Editorial insight

Bodycare’s return to Merry Hill with a new-generation Studio Store signals a notable move for the retailer as it continues to invest in physical retail formats across major UK shopping hubs. The company’s decision to return to its original unit comes amid ongoing efforts by high street brands to re-engage shoppers with in-person experiences, following a period of significant disruption for the sector. The inclusion of features such as a Creator Studio reflects a broader trend among retailers to build community engagement and offer more than just transactional shopping.

For Merry Hill, the reopening adds further strength to its beauty and health offer, while providing a familiar brand with a refreshed approach for both returning and new customers. Bodycare’s focus on discovery, product variety, and local involvement may help to differentiate its proposition in a competitive retail environment, particularly as regional shopping centres look to maintain visitor numbers and adapt to changing consumer expectations.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Local/community

Community Engagement through Retail: Bodycare’s New Creator Studio

Bodycare's Merry Hill store features a free Creator Studio, offering local content creators and community groups a space to collaborate and innovate, fostering local talent and community engagement.

Target audience local-news Story potential 6/10 Business growth

Revival of High Street Retail: Bodycare’s Strategic Return to Merry Hill

Bodycare's reopening at Merry Hill highlights its strategy to reinvest in Britain's high streets, a move that contrasts with the current trend of retail closures. This story examines the implications for local economies and retail landscapes.

Target audience business-finance Story potential 7/10