Holland & Barrett is strengthening its commitment to the Chinese market as its group chief executive travels to the country with the UK trade delegation.

The health retailer’s group chief executive Anthony Houghton travelled to China with the UK trade delegation as it looks to develop new partnerships overseas.

The trade delegation is led by prime minister Keir Starmer, with Houghton joining to support early stage discussions and explore future collaborations on health and preventative wellness.

The group said it represents an “opportunity for Holland & Barrett to engage with existing and potential partners and stakeholders as it develops its approach in China”.

It highlighted this as a market where preventative health, women’s wellbeing and evidence-based nutrition continues is growing in interest.

The retailer claimed that China is now recognised as the “world’s fastest-growing market for nutritional supplements”, expanding at around 10% annually.

Anthony Houghton said: “Our confidence in China is very much about the future.

“We see a clear opportunity to contribute to a market that is increasingly prioritising preventative health â€“ not only because it supports individuals to live healthier lives, but because it plays a meaningful role in supporting wider economic and healthcare outcomes.”

Topics