Globally, as pressure on traditional primary care systems intensifies, retailers are moving into healthcare.

This expansion is being driven by rising demand for faster access to care, the growth of digital health ecosystems, and retailers’ desire to differentiate through services rather than products alone. From diagnostics and prescribing to personalised wellness support, retail is stepping into a more active role in everyday health management.

In this article, we explore how retailers are responding, including launching healthcare propositions, embedding clinical services directly into stores, and partnering with specialist providers to expand their capabilities.

Expanding healthcare offer

Many retailers are no longer simply adding services but are building full healthcare propositions that sit alongside their core offer. Loblaw is scaling its Pharmacy Care Clinic concept, positioning Shoppers Drug Mart as a frontline provider of community-based healthcare. It is rolling out a new Pharmacy Care Clinic concept in response to legislative changes expanding pharmacists’ roles in some provinces in Canada.

The retailer opened 80 new stores in 2024 and introduced the concept in 100 stores in 2025, updating existing pharmacies within its Shoppers Drug Mart format. This expansion signals Loblaw’s intent to position Shoppers Drug Mart as a frontline healthcare provider, capitalising on regulatory tailwinds and growing consumer demand for accessible, community-based care.

Retailers are embedding added clinical services in-store

A second model is the integration of clinical or diagnostic services into stores. In Hong Kong, Mannings’ Health Pod is a great example of how retailers are redesigning physical space to support more on health engagement.

The Health Pod provides private, on‑site access to services such as health assessments, basic diagnostics, and personalised consultations. This transforms the store from a transactional aisle into a practical support hub, giving shoppers faster access to care without the need for a clinic appointment. By embedding these services into high‑traffic retail locations, Mannings increases convenience, builds trust, and positions itself as a partner in ongoing wellbeing.

In-store consultations on growing health needs

A growing number of retailers are expanding into in‑store consultations, offering appointments with pharmacists and specialist healthcare providers for specific health needs. Weight management is emerging as a major focus, driven by rising consumer interest and the rapid growth of GLP‑1 treatments.

Superdrug has significantly scaled its face-to-face weight‑loss service, now available in 160 stores. The service provides in-person consultations, clinical assessments, and access to prescribed treatments.

Boots is piloting in-store weight‑loss clinics in 17 locations. Customers receive an appointment with a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber, where they undergo specialist assessments and can be prescribed weight‑loss medication. The service extends Boots’ existing digital weight‑loss offer, linking in-store consultations with the Boots Online Doctor platform, a 10-week behavioural programme, progress‑tracking tools, and a 12-month aftercare pathway.

See more on GLP-1s here 

Collaborating with specialist health providers

Retailers are collaborating with healthcare specialists to broaden their capabilities. Partnerships allow retailers to scale quickly, enhance trust, and deliver more personalised wellness support.

Holland & Barrett partnered with Randox to introduce in-store diagnostic services. This includes blood checks, which allow customers to understand their full health profile with recommendations on what vitamins and supplements their body needs. The retailer is deepening its partnership with Randox Health to expand innovative, accessible diagnostic services across its UK stores, with 14 clinics already operating and eight more planned (as of December 2025). The two companies aim to build an end‑to‑end wellness ecosystem that combines advanced testing, personalised insights, product recommendations and ongoing support. Since launching in 2024, the collaboration has delivered over 10,000 tests, reflecting strong demand for convenient, preventative health solutions.

Supporting public health navigation and easing pressure on primary care

Retailers are taking on a more active role in health communication. This includes helping shoppers understand where to seek appropriate care and reducing unnecessary demand on overstretched health systems.

Asda’s recently launched “Issue Is…” campaign is a strong example of this shift. Developed to reduce pressure on GPs in the UK, the initiative provides guidance on which everyday health concerns can be managed by pharmacists rather than requiring a doctor’s appointment. By aligning with NHS messaging, Asda is helping redirect patients to faster, more appropriate support.

This is becoming increasingly important as consumers struggle to access primary care and look for clarity on where to turn. It also reinforces the growing influence of retail environments in shaping health behaviours.

What does this mean for your business?

As retailers deepen their role in healthcare, suppliers will need to adapt to a landscape where products, services, and clinical guidance increasingly converge. The shift toward in-store diagnostics, consultations, and support creates new opportunities for suppliers to demonstrate credibility, strengthen education, and align more closely with emerging care pathways.

Suppliers that can provide clinically backed claims and tailored recommendations that support conversations on health will be better positioned to win visibility. Partnerships integrating product ranges with diagnostics and personalised insights will become more valuable as retailers build end-to-end wellness ecosystems.

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