Bath & Body Works strengthens UK expansion with first East Midlands store

Bath & Body Works is set to open its first store in the East Midlands at Derbion shopping centre in Derby later this year.

The US-based brand has signed a 10-year lease for a 1,425 sq ft unit, bringing its range of fragrance, skincare and home products to the centre as part of its ongoing UK expansion.

Bath & Body Works operates 54 locations across the UK and Ireland, including 13 standalone stores. Its product range includes bestselling fragrances such as Japanese Cherry Blossom and Gingham, alongside seasonal collections.

Jo Part, UK Brand Manager at Bath & Body Works, said: "Derbion’s place as the leading retail destination in the East Midlands makes it the perfect location for our first store in the region. We hope our unique offering will attract shoppers from far and wide as we continue to grow our presence across the UK."

The announcement follows reported sales growth within Derbion’s health and beauty category in 2025 compared with the previous year.

Over the past two years, five health and beauty retailers at the centre have either refitted or relocated their stores, with a combined investment of £3.37 million.

Beth McDonald, Managing Director at Derbion, said: "We’re delighted that Bath & Body Works will be joining the centre and we’re incredibly proud to have been selected as its first location for a dedicated store in the East Midlands.

"The decision is testament to the continued evolution of Derbion as we cement our position as the home of beauty in the region."

Bath & Body Works joins a number of international brands to have recently opened at Derbion, including FatFace, Victoria’s Secret, Castore and Seasalt.

The centre has also confirmed that Primark will open in 2027. Other recent additions include Wingstop and Boots Opticians and Hearing Care, while HMV is preparing to launch an expanded store.

McDonald added: "The addition of Bath & Body Works, as well as the arrival of Primark and a raft of recent openings, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to delivering the very best retail and leisure experience for our shoppers, and we look forward to announcing further centre news soon."