Holland & Barrett, one of the UK's leading healthcare and wellness retailers, acquired at-home beauty services company Blow Ltd.

WHO: UK-based Blow Ltd was founded in 2013, the brainchild of former ELLE UK and Grazia Editor-in-Chief Fiona McIntosh and venture capitalist Dharmash Mistry, with a mission to help women look and feel amazing. Blow Ltd offers a range of salon-style beauty services delivered "at a time and place that suits them" from more than 1,200 professionals.

Holland & Barrett is the UK's leading wellness retailer and one of the largest in Europe. Established in 1870, Holland & Barrett has been trusted for wellness for over 150 years. Holland & Barrett has a retail presence of more than 1,000 stores across 16 countries worldwide, including over 800 in the UK and Ireland, as well as a rapidly expanding e-commerce business.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: "We have an exciting transformation strategy with the vision of helping 100 million customers globally achieve their health and wellness goals," Holland & Barrett Chief Business and Science Officer Tamara Rajah said. "This vision sees H&B moving beyond offering wellness products and advice, and expanding our reach to offer personalized services, diagnostics and wellness solutions across our digital and retail channels. We're excited to work with Blow Ltd to bring their customers new natural beauty and wellness options on demand, in their own homes, and offer our customers new services and experiences in our larger stores."

Blow Ltd's CEO Thomas Nutt said, "The whole Blow Ltd team are excited to become a part of a global vision to make health and wellness a way of life for everyone, and bring natural, sustainable beauty and wellness products, services and advice to millions of consumers across the UK and beyond. The combined entity will accelerate Blow Ltd's vision of expert service to your door with H&B's leading expertise in ethical, planet-friendly health, beauty and wellness. We all very much look forward to the next chapter in the Blow Ltd story."

DETAILS:

• Holland & Barrett acquired Blow Ltd for an undisclosed sum.
• The company that will now become a subsidiary of H&B's international operation and all staff, including its 1,200 professionals, will move to its new parent company.
• In 2016, Blow Ltd acquired competitor Return to Glory, allowing them to add massages, yoga, and Pilates services.
• In 2017, Blow Ltd raised a €3.5 million investment round led by Unilever Ventures. Later that year, failed retail giant Debenhams took a £7.5 million minority stake, while also opening Blow bars in its major flagships.
• In 2019, Blow Ltd closed a £1.9 million fundraise from Unilever Ventures, alongside 530 investors on investment platform Seedrs.