UK health and wellness retailer Holland & Barrett has announced a €17.5 million investment in Irish digital and retail fulfilment over three years, moving fulfilment of Irish online orders from the UK to Ireland from 1 November through Kildare-based Road Truck Services (RTS). The move brings around 328,000 orders and 1.8 million units a year into the Irish logistics network and supports about 20 additional RTS roles.

Holland & Barrett is owned by LetterOne and reported revenue of £981 million for the year to 30 September 2025. In Ireland it runs 70 stores and employs 419 colleagues, and about 2.8 million customers shopped with it in the past year.

RTS is a Kildare-based logistics provider close to Kildare Village. It has worked with Holland & Barrett for eight years across import, customs, warehousing and distribution.

The investment splits into €8.2 million for a new digital fulfilment model and €9.3 million relating to existing retail fulfilment with RTS. Around €1.5 million of additional stock will be held locally, taking total Irish stockholding to about €4.7 million.

The structural driver is online growth. Irish revenue rose 6.2% in the latest financial year, with store sales up 3.6% and digital sales up 17.9%.

Customers will see the existing 5kg online weight limit lifted and products from 34 more Irish brands added, with next-day delivery planned from 1 December. The expanded partnership will also support about 20 additional RTS roles, agency staff at peak and a further 6 to 10 indirect roles, with recruitment focused on Kildare town.

Vineta Bajaj, group CFO at Holland & Barrett, said, “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 of Road Truck Services, said, “Growing together has enabled us to expand our warehousing and transport capabilities, strengthen our business and secure other high-profile contracts.”

For the sector, the move shows a UK retailer shifting online fulfilment onshore to an Irish logistics partner as digital demand grows.

Source: Transport Monthly / LetterOne / Ireland Live