Bodycare secures investment to accelerate UK store rollout
Bodycare has completed a new investment round led by early stage venture capital firm, Arāya Ventures.
There was also participation from entrepreneur Dilesh Mehta and a syndicate of global brand builders, operators and retail leaders.
Subscribe to TRBBodycare said the funds will support the rollout of its next generation Studio Stores, AI-powered retail platform and creator-led commerce ecosystem.
The news follows the opening of the retailer’s first Studio Store in Sheffield, where the company said early trading has exceeded expectations. It is also planning to launch the format in Derby and Leicester this month as part of a national roll out.
Charles Denton, chief executive and executive chairman of Bodycare, said: “Retail doesn’t need another retailer, it needs a fundamentally different model.
“Consumers increasingly discover products through creators, expect outstanding value without compromise and still want the experience of shopping in person building human connections. Bodycare has been built to bring those worlds together.
“This investment represents far more than new capital. We’ve brought together a group of investors who understand how technology, AI and changing consumer behaviour are transforming retail. ]”Arāya Ventures and our co-investors share our belief that the future belongs to retailers capable of combining physical stores, AI and creator-led commerce into a single, connected customer experience.
“Their backing gives us the resources, expertise and strategic support to accelerate our rollout and execute our long-term vision of building one of the UK’s most innovative retail businesses.”
Rupa Popat, founder and managing partner at Arāya Ventures, said: “Bodycare has a powerful foundation, a loyal customer base and an ambitious leadership team with a clear vision for reinventing value retail. We’re excited to partner with Charles and the wider team as they build a technology-enabled retailer that is redefining what value retail can become.”
