Lush, the ethical beauty brand, is gearing up for a substantial investment of nearly £11 million in its UK retail spaces for the fiscal year 2023. The company recently inaugurated its largest store in Scotland, situated in Glasgow, on December 8, and concurrently revealed plans for a projected spend of £10.6 million in UK shops by the end of the financial year. This notable figure represents an impressive £8 million increase compared to the previously disclosed investment for FY23 in the UK.

The Lush financial year, spanning from July to June, has witnessed strategic investments directed towards expanding the retail footprint, relocating and enhancing existing shops, and ultimately enhancing the overall customer experience. The latest addition to their portfolio, the 20,000 sq ft Glasgow store, attracted an impressive 37,000 visitors within four days of its opening. Notably, over 7,000 bath bombs were sold during this period.

Looking ahead, Lush plans to augment the Glasgow store by adding an extra floor in February 2024, incorporating a Lush Spa featuring a new Scotland-themed spa treatment. The company’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for customers is evident in its expansion plans, as articulated by Kasey Swithenbank, Lush’s Head of Retail Stores UK&I.

This fiscal year also marked the return of Lush to Covent Garden, a decade after its previous presence in the London shopping hub. Initially conceived as a festive pop-up with a 255 sqm retail space, the Covent Garden store is set to expand by an additional 176 sqm in Spring 2024, inclusive of a Lush Spa. Liverpool played host to an immersive Lush Christmas Grotto from December 10 to 24, offering a festive experience for visitors.

Furthermore, Lush expanded its retail footprint with the introduction of new stores in Teeside, a relocation in Aberdeen in November, and an innovative shop layout trial in Kingston Upon-Thames. The latter showcased Lush inventions from the 1980s, such as shampoo bars and bath bombs. Notably, Lush also celebrated the opening of its first standalone HairLab in Brighton last month.

In reflecting on the significance of physical retail spaces, Kasey Swithenbank stated, “We know that physical retail spaces contribute to lasting memories…At Lush, we’re committed to creating spaces that contribute to our customers being able to create lasting memories with their friends and family and our blend between traditional retailing and experiential retailing highlights this.” The brand’s dedication to combining traditional and experiential retailing underscores its vision of creating enduring moments for customers throughout their shopping journeys.