Spa & Wellness Blog: The Rise of Wellness Retail
Image Source: Saks Fifth Avenue
The Rise of Wellness Retail
The word ‘Wellness’ is on everybody’s lips these days, including those in the retail industry. The growing business of wellness (the industry as a whole is valued at $3.7 Trillion Dollars) is manifesting itself into some forward-thinking retail concepts, both with big brand names attached and smaller start-ups looking to dive into this burgeoning marketplace. Below we explore some of the latest ventures in wellness retail.
Saks Wellery Studio
This pop-up, (the launch party was hosted in partnership with Well+Good) on the second floor of Saks’ New York City flagship is touted as an immersive wellness experience. Everything from high-end altheisure wear, mini-fitness studios and natural spas are showcased within the space. To add to the hype, fitness guru Tracy Anderson hosted their well-attended launch event in early May 2017. It remains to be seen if the Wellery Studio will continue to run after its planned end in the fall of 2017, but the early success certainly confirms the appetite for luxury wellness experiences.
Image Source: Saks Fifth Avenue
STORY
The concept at STORY, the 2000 square foot store located in Manhattan is that it is ever changing. Every four to eight weeks this curated, gallery-like space does a complete merchandise overhaul and focuses in on a specific theme. Their current ‘story’ is FRESH, a health and wellness focused concept showcasing the latest in food and homewares.
Image Source: STORY
Harrods
Harrods, one of London’s most famous department stores has opened a brand new wellness clinic within their store in Knightsbridge. The 10,500-square foot clinic is in addition to the existing Urban Retreat Spa and is staffed with experts in the field of aesthetics, wellness and dermatology. The space also includes amenities such as cryotherapy and IV vitamin infusions.
Image Source: Harrods
DOING/LIVING
Opening in Summer 2017 in New York City is DOING/LIVING, defined as ‘An experience space at the intersection of Community, Conscious Commerce and Creative Culture’. The space is designed to be a marketplace for like-minded vendors in the field of clean beauty, fashion and home goods without their own retail space to cohabitate under one roof, forging a sense of community. Along with their retail offering, DOING/LIVING is planning to offer curated programming with a focus on wellness, conscious commerce and mindful community development.
GOOP Wellness
Lifestyle guru Gwyneth Paltrow has long been at the forefront of health and wellness, dedicating much of her online content at GOOP to the pursuit of well-being. There has been a recent shift however, now with a dedicated ‘GOOP Wellness’ section of the online shop, retailing a new line of supplements ‘developed to meet the needs of women who are tired of feeling sh*tty’. Among these new offerings, you can still shop the best in active wear and beauty, all with the GOOP stamp of approval.
Image Source: GOOP