Tesco has launched a new store concept in collaboration with major healthcare companies in the UK, providing customers convenient access to a range of high-quality health services.

This initiative, Tesco's first dedicated health zone, will be initially piloted at the newly refurbished Extra store in Cheshunt. Customers can receive advice, treatment, and virtual general practitioner (GP) appointments for various health concerns, while they shop.

The pilot store concept integrates food, health, and wellness ranges with enhanced pharmacy and healthcare services, aiming to simplify customers' management of their well-being.

Tesco aims to make it easier for customers to manage all aspects of their well-being while also benefiting from the convenience of shopping in-store.

In addition to the Cheshunt Extra store, Tesco plans to introduce similar healthcare services at two more locations in Hexham, Northumberland, and West Durrington, West Sussex, both scheduled to open in 2025. If successful, the concept could expand nationwide.

Health appointments will be available in two new private consultation rooms, conducted by pharmacists and other healthcare specialists, both in-person and virtually.

A range of new services will be offered to the customers, such as weight management support and earwax removal through a partnership with Bupa, consultations on menopause symptoms with Stella, the online menopause clinic, and participation in Our Future Health's large-scale health research programme.

Additionally, customers can benefit from free oral hygiene advice from Haleon's oral health educator and free guidance on pregnancy and infant nutrition from Aptaclub.

Tesco chief commercial officer Ashwin Prasad said: “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.

“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. 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 offerings expand Tesco’s current in-store pharmacy services, which already serve around half a million customers each week across 365 UK locations in larger stores, offering flu jabs, NHS Pharmacy First services, free blood pressure checks, and free guidance on cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, supported by Tesco's health charity partners.

As part of its broader healthcare offerings, additional information from these partners will also be available, starting with heart health advice from the British Heart Foundation.