Holland & Barrett’s business, including its brick-and-mortar stores and eponymous e-commerce platform in Singapore, is operated by franchise partner Jay Gee Health (PTE) Ltd for 16 years.
Responding to queries from NutraIngredients-Asia on March 10, a spokeswoman from Holland & Barrett confirmed that all its stores in Singapore have closed, and that the Singapore website has been taken offline.
The British wellness company did not have an operating entity, stores, or a website directly run by the company in Singapore, added the spokeswoman.
The spokeswoman said the closure was due to changes within the franchise partner’s business.
Consumers can still access information about the company’s products via the main Holland & Barrett website during this period.
“Due to changes within our franchise partner’s business, we understand that all stores are currently closed, and the Singapore website has been taken offline...
“To help ensure continuity during this disruption, we have redirected the domain to the main Holland & Barrett website so customers can continue accessing information about our products.”
The closure of Holland & Barrett’s stores in Singapore was announced via an Instagram post on Holland & Barrett Singapore’s account on March 10.
“We’re sorry, this store is currently closed, but you can still visit hollandandbarrett.com for the latest news in health and wellness,” says the post.
Local media Straits Times reported that the closure of the physical stores had possibly started as early as last Thursday (March 6).
As of July 2024, Holland & Barrett ran 11 outlets in Singapore, including those in the city centre like 313@somerset, Takashimaya, and Suntec City, based on information from its Instagram postings.
However, as of February 26, when it made its second last post, the Suntec City outlet was removed from the list, making it a total of 10 stores remaining in operation before its closure announcement.
Singapore franchisee in liquidation
A check on Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) shows that Jay Gee Health (PTE) Ltd is now known as MA Supplements PTE. LTD - which is also in the business of health supplements retail.
However, MA Supplements’ status was stated as “in liquidation - creditors voluntary winding up” as of March 10.
This also means that the company’s assets are being collected and sold to pay off its debts, and that the company will dissolve and will no longer exist after winding up.
The company last filed its financial statement and annual return with ACRA on May 13, 2024.
Jay Gee Health (PTE) Ltd was incorporated since 2009 - also the year where it brought Holland & Barrett into Singapore.
The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jay Gee Enterprises Pte Ltd, which is also part of Jay Gee Melwani Group of companies that operates fashion and lifestyle products retailing.
Based on its LinkedIn information, Jay Gee Melwani Group of companies, or Jay Gee Group’s portfolio of brands include Holland & Barrett, dENiZEN™, T.M.Lewin, adidas® Kids, carter’s®, Converse Kids, Jordan, Levi’s® Kids, New Balance Kids, Nike Young Athletes, OshKosh B’Gosh® & Puma Kids.
NutraIngredients-Asia has reached out to Jay Gee Group but has not received a response as of press time.
Disappointed in the development
Holland & Barrett said it was disappointed in the turn of events and that it was exploring new ways to continue serving the Singapore market.
“We share in our customers' disappointment at this development and recognise the impact it may have on those who rely on our products...
“We remain committed to finding the best ways to bring our expertise and trusted products to the market and are actively exploring new and exciting opportunities to continue serving the health and wellness needs of Singaporean customers. We will share further details in due course.”
