Multi-year partnership brings trusted, science-led wellness solutions to Guardian and Mannings customers across the region.
Andrew Wong, CEO, Health & Beauty, DFI Retail Group, and Gordon Farquhar, International Managing Director, Holland & Barrett, at the partnership signing ceremony.
The partnership combines Holland & Barrett's 155-year heritage in wellness and science-led product innovation with DFI's regional retail scale and deep customer insights, delivered through its health and beauty brands Guardian and Mannings.
The launch comes as Asian consumers increasingly seek preventive, personalised and evidence-based approaches to wellbeing. Together, DFI and H&B aim to redefine accessible and trusted wellness retail in the region by integrating high-quality products with expert guidance through trusted channels.
Gordon Farquhar, International Managing Director, Holland & Barrett, said: "For more than 155 years, Holland & Barrett has helped customers take a more proactive approach to their health and wellbeing through trusted products, science-led innovation and expert guidance. As demand for wellness continues to grow across Asia, we are delighted to partner with DFI to bring our heritage and trusted wellness solutions to millions more consumers across the region. By combining Holland & Barrett's wellness expertise with DFI's strong retail presence and local market insight, we have an exciting opportunity to make trusted, science-led wellness solutions more accessible and relevant to everyday life across Asia."
A regional partnership with cross-border ambition
Under this exclusive agreement, DFI will serve as H&B's distribution partner across several markets in Asia, starting with Singapore and Hong Kong, with rights for distribution across the wider region over the coming years.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in H&B's international expansion strategy and reinforces DFI's long-term ambition to become Asia's Trusted Advisor for Wellness by delivering more holistic and personalised wellness solutions to customers across the region.
Andrew Wong, Chief Executive Officer, Health & Beauty, DFI Retail Group, said: "This partnership is a pivotal step in our journey to deepen our position as the Trusted Advisor for Wellness across Asia. As our customers increasingly seek holistic and personalised wellness solutions, Holland & Barrett's heritage expertise and science-led capabilities perfectly complement our mission to deliver the right expertise and experience in our stores. We are excited to empower our customers throughout their wellness journeys."
Elevating customer experience
Customers can expect a curated range of science-led wellness products, including H&B's vitamins and supplements and nutritional solutions focused on areas such as immunity, gut health, sleep, beauty-from-within, and healthy ageing.
The products will be available in-store and online, alongside personalised health guidance supported by professional in-store advice, and technology-enabled wellness services, including AI-powered skin and scalp assessments provided by Guardian and Mannings.
This partnership also reflects DFI's continued commitment to creating more connected and personalised retail wellness experiences, with technology-enabled services expected to expand across approximately 25 per cent of Mannings and Guardian stores in Asia.
Lucy Hughes, Deputy High Commissioner to Singapore, said: "This partnership between Holland & Barrett and DFI Retail Group is a compelling example of what is possible when trusted institutions from the UK and Singapore come together. Singapore is one of the UK's closest and most valued partners in Asia, and collaborations like this - bringing together British brand heritage with DFI's outstanding regional expertise - reflect the genuine depth of that relationship. I warmly congratulate both organisations on this milestone."
Rhiannon Harries, Deputy Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific (Southeast Asia), said, "Holland & Barrett's new partnership with DFI Group marks a growing ambition from UK businesses to export to and grow in Southeast Asia. Our trade relationship with the region is worth over £62 billion – an increase of over 17 per cent from the previous year – highlighting the strong momentum and opportunities available. I look forward to seeing even more UK companies thrive in Singapore and across the wider region."
Now live in Singapore
The partnership officially launched in Singapore this month, with H&B products available through selected Guardian Singapore stores and the Guardian Singapore app.
Additional market launches across Asia will be rolled out in phases over the coming years.
Hashtag: #DFIRetailGroup #Guardian #Mannings #Holland&Barrett
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DFI Retail Group
DFI Retail Group is a leading Asian retailer driven by its purpose to 'Sustainably Serve Asia for Generations with Everyday Moments'. As at 31 December 2025, the Group and its associates operated 7,580 outlets and employed more than 79,000 people across 12 markets.
The Group is committed to delivering quality, value and service to consumers across the region through trusted brands, strong local market positions, and a broad retail ecosystem supported by extensive store networks, digital capabilities and efficient supply chains.
DFI Retail Group and its associates operate a portfolio of well-known brands across five key divisions: health and beauty, convenience, food, home furnishings and restaurants.
Holland & Barrett
Holland & Barrett is a leading international health and wellness retailer, focused on making health and wellness a way of life through accessible, science-led solutions. Established in 1870, the business has been trusted for over 155 years and today operates more than 1,000 stores across 22 countries, alongside a rapidly growing digital platform serving millions of customers. As the health landscape shifts towards prevention - and with increasing consumer exposure to conflicting health information - Holland & Barrett is evolving into a holistic health and wellness partner, helping customers proactively manage their wellbeing through evidence-based products, personalised advice and integrated digital tools. The company offers a broad range of vitamins, supplements, specialist foods, sports nutrition and natural beauty products, supported by significant investment in own-brand innovation, diagnostics and technology-enabled wellness services. Holland & Barrett's colleagues are trained through its 'Qualified to Advise' programme, enabling them to deliver trusted, personalised guidance both in store and online. With three consecutive years of double-digit growth and continued investment across technology, supply chain and stores, Holland & Barrett is building a scalable, omnichannel model designed to deliver better long-term health outcomes and sustainable business growth.
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Over five years, nearly 9,000 teachers and students have participated in the Fair to drive youth engagement in innovation and technology
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 4 June 2026 - Organised by the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation ('HKIF'), the Fifth Hong Kong Science Fair ('Science Fair') will take place from 27 to 28 June 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will showcase around 120 shortlisted teams from primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong, presenting creative inventions that integrate artificial intelligence with a diverse range of technology applications. With Sino Group as Principal Patron, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government (ITIB) as the Supporting Bureau, and the Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC) as Strategic Partner, HKIF is also honoured to have, for the first time, invited the Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology in China as an Advisory Organisation. Representatives from the Foundation will attend the award ceremony to witness the announcement of this year's winning teams. Consistently a major draw for the community, the Science Fair is now open for online registration with free admission, and the public is warmly invited to attend in person.
Since its launch in 2021, the Science Fair has attracted participation from over 400 local schools, engaging nearly 9,000 students and teachers from Primary 4 to Secondary 6. To date, more than 2,200 creative invention submissions have been received, and the event has established itself as a key platform for youth I&T exchange.
Following Hong Kong's first astronaut, Dr Lai Ka-ying, into space, the local innovation and technology ecosystem has attracted even greater attention. This year's Science Fair has specially incorporated aerospace engineering elements, enabling the public to learn about the daily work and challenges of payload specialists, gain insight into the reality of aerospace research and development, and spark greater interest among young people in space exploration. Dr Lai launched aboard the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft and is expected to remain in space for approximately six months to conduct space science experiments and maintenance tasks. Visitors can express their support and encouragement by creating message cards for her. In addition, UBTECH Robotics, a globally leading enterprise in embodied AI robotics, will participate in the exhibition, showcasing multiple humanoid robots and offering visitors the opportunity to experience the appeal of embodied intelligence up close.
Professor Sun Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, stated: 'The Hong Kong SAR Government is fully committed to developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre, with talent being a key driver of this growth. Now in its fifth edition, the Hong Kong Science Fair – organised by the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation – has become an annual flagship I&T education event. It offers students a valuable platform to turn their innovative ideas into practice, deepen their interest and confidence in I&T, and help bring I&T into schools and the wider community, thereby fostering a more innovation-friendly atmosphere. I look forward to seeing more young people unleash their potential through this platform, pursue careers in I&T, and contribute to the high-quality development of Hong Kong and our nation.'
Mr Daryl Ng, SBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation and Chairman of Sino Group, said 'Innovation and technology are key to Hong Kong's long-term sustainable development and are integral to the country's 15th Five-Year Plan. It is vital for Hong Kong to strengthen its I&T capabilities and actively contribute to national development, as underscored by the historic moment when Dr Lai Ka-ying became Hong Kong's first astronaut. We are encouraged to see growing recognition of I&T opening up new opportunities for young people aspiring to pursue scientific research. As the Hong Kong Science Fair enters its fifth edition, its growth has been made possible by the support of the HKSAR Government, industry partners, tertiary institutions, research organisations, and our panels of judges. This year, we are grateful for the guidance and support of the Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology in China. Moving forward, the Science Fair will remain committed to nurturing talent from an early age, bringing together all sectors to promote I&T and inspire more young people to pursue careers in science and technology.'
Professor Anderson Shum, MH, Chairman of Judging Panel, Hong Kong Science Fair, President of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, said, 'The Science Fair adopts the format of "integrating competition with exhibition," enabling students to translate their learning into tangible and verifiable outcomes. This plays an important role in nurturing Hong Kong's youth I&T ecosystem. I am delighted to have served as a judge for this major event over the years, witnessing students progressively enhance their presentation skills, build confidence, and broaden their horizons through exchanges with experts, participation in workshops and showcasing their work to the public. The standard of participating projects continues to improve each year, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence and diverse technological applications across different fields. Scientific research is a journey that demands passion and perseverance, and the growth of young scientists often begins with curiosity during their primary and secondary school years. Through these exchanges, we hope to leverage the role-model influence of young scientists, inspiring more students to pursue I&T as their lifelong career. I look forward to seeing our younger generation continue to grow and excel in scientific research and innovation, and officially join the community of scientists in the near future to jointly drive Hong Kong's I&T development.'
Mr Michael Tam, Chief Brand Officer of UBTECH, said, 'Humanoid robots are among the most promising real-world embodiments of artificial intelligence, reflecting a future in which intelligent systems are deeply integrated with the physical world. As a global pioneer in humanoid robotics, UBTECH has remained at the forefront of innovation for more than 14 years, with a long-standing commitment to I&T education. The company is dedicated to translating advanced technologies into practical, accessible educational resources. Through collaboration with like-minded partners such as the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation, we aim to inspire greater interest and engagement among both teachers and students in humanoid robotics and artificial intelligence. We are committed to supporting the development of Hong Kong's I&T education ecosystem, helping to nurture future-ready talent and build a strong, sustainable foundation for long-term growth.'
Since its launch in 2021, the Science Fair has attracted participation from over 400 local schools, engaging nearly 9,000 Primary 4 to Secondary 6 students and their teachers. To date, more than 2,200 creative invention submissions have been received and total attendance has exceeded 120,000 visitors. The Science Fair has gradually established itself as a key platform for youth innovation and technology ('I&T') exchange and one of Hong Kong's most representative I&T education initiatives. This year's response has been enthusiastic, with over 500 project submissions received. Following preliminary judging, around 120 shortlisted teams took part in a series of workshops and mentorship sessions, and will present their projects at the exhibition in late June to compete for top awards. Gold award-winning teams from each category will have the opportunity to participate in the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in Switzerland, fostering idea exchange with global I&T talents.
The Hong Kong Science Fair draws tens of thousands of visitors each year. During the exhibition period, the venue will be transformed into a catalyst for city-wide I&T inspiration. In addition to student showcases, five interactive zones will offer hands-on experiences, including DIY bubble bath bomb workshops, freezer-free slushie making, themed games celebrating the Science Fair's fifth anniversary, and modified remote-controlled cars made from upcycled household appliances, allowing visitors of all ages to explore science and innovation through engaging and enjoyable activities.
- Bulu Bulu Bubble Factory: Blending science with sensory experiences, visitors can mix and mould from scratch to create a delightful 'bathroom blind box'.
- Shake Shake Ice Factory: Applying the principle of freezing point depression, participants will see how temperature can be rapidly lowered using only salt, ice and water to create personalised slushies — all without a freezer.
- Scan2Play: Scan the QR Code on your phone to join the themed game celebrating the Hong Kong Science Fair's Fifth Anniversary.
- Racing Homey Kart 2.0: Showcasing the spirit of upcycling and upgrades, visitors can transform old, small household appliances into remote-controlled racing cars and compete on a dedicated track.
- UBTECH Robotics Base: Featuring a wide range of robots, this zone provides a comprehensive showcase of the integration of artificial intelligence with mechanical engineering.
To celebrate the Science Fair's fifth edition, various special experiences will be introduced. The venue will feature a hidden Science Fair character treasure hunt and check-in activity, through which visitors can redeem curated gifts upon completion. Limited-edition souvenirs, including the 'HKSF-5 Metal Standee Collection' and the 'Special Edition Robo K' blind boxes, will also be available in limited quantities. All proceeds from the HKSF Bazaar, with no deduction, will go directly to charity to support local community technology initiatives.
The Fifth Hong Kong Science Fair Details:
- Date: 27 to 28 June 2026 (Saturday and Sunday)
- Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 3FG
- Admission: Free of Charge (Pre-registration online is required)
- Registration Website: https://reghksciencefair.org.hk/public
Photos download: https://shorturl.at/mgawb
Hashtag: #HKIF #ScienceFair
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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