Recent headlines have highlighted a variety of developments in the health and wellness sector. Australian discount pharmacy Chemist Warehouse is set to make its mark in the UK through a joint venture, Holland & Barrett is collaborating with Phlo for a comprehensive weight management program, and the winners of the prestigious NutraIngredients Europe Awards have been announced.
Chemist Warehouse is venturing into the UK market through a partnership with GreenLight pharmacies, based in London. The initiative begins with the rebranding of selected GreenLight locations to reflect the Chemist Warehouse identity.
Operating over 553 outlets across Australia, which include both franchise and company-owned stores, Chemist Warehouse employs a high-volume, low-margin business model. In the fiscal year 2025, the company achieved total retail sales of A$10.3 billion (approximately US$7.41 billion), marking a 14% increase.
Initially, the pharmacy chain will focus on rebranding up to five stores, emphasizing retail items such as vitamins, beauty products, and personal care, rather than conventional pharmaceutical dispensary services.
This expansion follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established between Greenlight Healthcare Limited and Sigma Healthcare, which merged with Chemist Warehouse last year. Sigma Healthcare is also known for its operations of pharmacy chains like Amcal and Discount Drug Stores.
As per the MoU, Sigma will hold a 75% stake in the partnership, with GreenLight retaining the remaining 25%. Sigma Healthcare expressed its intention to identify existing GreenLight pharmacies and, where suitable, transition these into Chemist Warehouse outlets.
The inaugural site under this joint venture is planned for Hoxton Street, located in the northeastern part of London.
Meanwhile, UK retailer Holland & Barrett has formed a partnership with Phlo, known for its GLP-1 weight loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro. This collaboration aims to provide a well-rounded approach to weight management by directing customers to professionally supervised support in addition to its range of nutrition and wellness products.
Leila Thabet, director of the wellness platform at Holland & Barrett, noted that this alliance continues the brand’s longstanding commitment to health and wellness, which dates back 150 years, and its focus on weight management over the last 15 years.
“As a fixture on the high street, we take customer feedback very seriously,” she stated in an interview with NutraIngredients.
The retailer emphasizes that while it will not prescribe or endorse medical treatments, it will inform customers about available options and provide nutritional guidance, particularly for those using GLP-1 medications who may be susceptible to certain deficiencies.
This venture represents Holland & Barrett’s shift towards a more holistic wellness framework, aiming to assist customers on diverse health journeys while adhering to regulatory standards.
Additionally, the company plans to invest continuously in its own weight management products through 2026 and beyond.
On another note, the NutraIngredients Europe Awards celebrated 16 deserving winners at a VIP event in Barcelona on May 6.
“2026 has emerged as a year of significant innovations in the nutraceutical landscape,” remarked Ewa Hudson, director of insights at Lumina Intelligence and chair of the judging panel. “This year’s winners implemented patented technologies and robust clinical science, offering innovative, scalable, and cost-effective nutritional solutions that cater to essential consumer demands.
“The judges were particularly impressed by the solid clinical foundations backing these innovations, the clear disruptive potential, and strong evidence of commercial success. Ultimately, the winners displayed how thoughtful innovation can translate into real health benefits for consumers around the globe.”
Following an unprecedented number of entries, those who made the final shortlist truly had to shine to stand out, commented Nikki Hancocks, Editor of NutraIngredients Europe.
“As always, our expert panel ensured that awards were conferred to the most deserving candidates,” she remarked. “Congratulations to all of our exceptional winners.”
To view the complete list of winners, click HERE.
