Holland & Barrett expands Irish operations with €17.5m investment
€8.2 million investment in new digital fulfilment model over three years, alongside €9.3 million relating to existing retail fulfilment operations with Kildare-based Road Truck Services (RTS).
Fulfilment of Irish online orders to move from the UK to Ireland from 1 November, with around €1.5 million of additional stock held locally.
Approximately 328,000 orders and 1.8 million units are expected to flow through the Irish logistics network each year.
Holland & Barrett, the UK’s leading health and wellness retailer, has today announced a €17.5 million investment across digital and retail fulfilment in Ireland over the next three years, as it builds on its long-standing partnership with Kildare-based Road Truck Services (RTS).
From 1 November 2026, fulfilment of Holland & Barrett’s Irish online orders will move from the UK to Ireland through an expanded three-year partnership with RTS, building on an eight-year relationship spanning import, customs, warehousing and distribution. The move will see €8.2 million invested in a new digital fulfilment model, alongside €9.3 million relating to existing retail fulfilment operations with RTS, bringing the total investment to €17.5 million over the next three years.
As part of the move, around €1.5 million of additional stock will be held locally, bringing Holland & Barrett’s total Irish stockholding to approximately €4.7 million. Around 328,000 orders and 1.8 million units are expected to flow through the Irish logistics network each year.
The expanded partnership is also expected to support around 20 additional RTS roles, alongside agency support during peak periods and a further 6-10 indirect roles, with recruitment focused on Kildare town and surrounding areas.
For customers, the move will mean greater choices on online orders from 1 November, with the existing 5kg weight limit lifted and additional products from 34 Irish brands available online. Next-day delivery is planned to launch from 1 December.
The investment comes as Holland & Barrett continues to see strong growth in Ireland, where approximately 2.8 million customers shopped with the business over the past year, including 300,000 online. During the latest financial year, Ireland revenue was up +6.2%. Store sales increased 3.6% and digital sales grew 17.9%.
The business now operates 70 stores and employs 419 colleagues across the country, with headcount increasing by 4% over the past year. It has opened three new stores and completed three relocations, with 90% of its Irish estate now modernised, including the recently opened 5,909 sq. ft. Galway store.
Vineta Bajaj, Group CFO at Holland & Barrett, said:
“Ireland is one of our strongest-performing markets and an important part of Holland & Barrett’s growth story. We’re seeing real momentum across both stores and digital, and we want to build on that by continuing to invest in the people, infrastructure and partnerships that will support our ambitions in Ireland for the long term.
“Our relationship with RTS has grown over eight years, and this next step means we can bring even more of our Irish operation closer to our customers. Holding more stock locally will help us deliver faster and offer greater choice and availability, while allowing us to continue investing in Ireland and building our presence in what is a very important market for us.”
Mick McConnell, Managing Director, Road Truck Services, said:
“We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with Holland & Barrett, which has gone from strength to strength over the past eight years. Growing together has enabled us to expand our warehousing and transport capabilities, strengthen our business and secure other high-profile contracts.
“This latest investment marks an exciting new chapter in our relationship, creating jobs locally and allowing us to play an even bigger role in supporting Holland & Barrett’s growth in Ireland.”