Tesco, the UK’s largest grocery retailer, is launching a new healthcare concept that brings essential health services, including menopause care, directly to customers while they shop. The pilot program, starting at the refurbished Cheshunt Extra store, introduces dedicated health zones featuring private consultation rooms for both in-person and virtual healthcare appointments.
Among the services offered is a partnership with Stella, an online menopause clinic, providing consultations with clinicians on managing menopause symptoms and offering advice and support around HRT. This initiative represents another step toward making menopause care more accessible in everyday settings.
“Good health starts with good food, but it also relies on people being able to get the right support, advice and care, as early as possible to help prevent ill health and not just manage it,” said Ashwin Prasad, Chief Commercial Officer at Tesco. “With our network of stores and pharmacies in communities all over the UK, we are uniquely placed to help make food and healthcare accessible to our customers – and reduce some pressure on the NHS too.”
The health zones also include partnerships with other healthcare providers, including Bupa for primary healthcare services, Our Future Health for research participation, Haleon for oral health education, and Aptaclub for pregnancy and infant nutrition advice.
Two additional stores in Hexham, Northumberland, and West Durrington, West Sussex, are planned to launch similar services in 2025. If successful, the concept could be rolled out more widely across Tesco’s network of stores.
This initiative builds on Tesco’s existing pharmacy services, which currently serve half a million customers weekly across 365 UK locations. “Our new pilot means customers visiting our Cheshunt Extra store – and other stores in coming months – can now get advice from one of our pharmacists or specialist partners, book a GP appointment for a time that suits them, and pick up healthy food, prescriptions and nutrition supplements, all without making an extra trip,” Prasad added. “We’ll be testing, learning and listening to feedback to understand what customers think and what further changes we can make to help them look after themselves and their families.”
The move represents a significant step in making women’s health services, particularly menopause care, more accessible through mainstream retail channels.
