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"path": "/money/economy-beauty-duck-dry-open-new",
"publishedAt": "2026-04-05T23:01:02.000Z",
"site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
"tags": [
"Award-winning British alcohol brand sold in Tesco goes bust with £195,000 debt",
"Major UK home retailer to close 23 stores in cost-cutting overhaul",
"High street betting giant to close 200 shops with hundreds of jobs at risk as Labour taxes blamed",
"The GB News Editorial Charter"
],
"textContent": "\n\n\nA growing beauty brand is set to expand to 10 new locations in a win for British high streets.\n\nHero Brands, the company behind German Doner Kebab and the Sidemen-backed restaurant chain Sides, is venturing into the beauty industry for the first time through a new partnership with blow-dry specialist Duck & Dry.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe deal marks a significant diversification for the restaurant backer, which currently operates across more than 190 locations worldwide spanning media, licensing, lifestyle and food and beverage sectors.\n\nThis strategic move will support Duck & Dry's ambitious growth plans, with the salon brand targeting 10 new UK locations during 2026.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe partnership represents Hero Brands' entry into an entirely new consumer category as it seeks to expand its portfolio beyond hospitality.\n\nDuck & Dry has recently launched new salons at The Whiteley development in Notting Hill and within John Lewis on Oxford Street.\n\nThe brand's London expansion will continue with a forthcoming opening at Battersea Power Station, further cementing its presence across the capital.\n\nAccording to the business, the partnership with Hero Brands is designed to provide the infrastructure and resources necessary to accelerate this growth trajectory.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n * Award-winning British alcohol brand sold in Tesco goes bust with £195,000 debt\n * Major UK home retailer to close 23 stores in cost-cutting overhaul\n * High street betting giant to close 200 shops with hundreds of jobs at risk as Labour taxes blamed\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe hope is to transform Duck & Dry from a founder-led operation into a partnership-powered enterprise capable of scaling nationally and internationally.\n\nAthif Sarwar, chairman at Hero Brands, said: \"Beauty is a category we've long seen potential in, and Duck & Dry is the perfect partner for Hero Brands' entry into the space.\"\n\nHe added: \"Their creativity and cultural pull align with our ambition to build the next generation of consumer brands. This move unlocks major potential to take Duck & Dry from a salon brand to a full consumer lifestyle experience.\"\n\nYulia Rorstrom, chief executive and founder at Duck & Dry, described the agreement as \"a huge moment\" for the company.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nShe said: \"With Hero Brands behind us, we're ready to bring the Duck & Dry to more people across the UK and beyond.\"\n\nThis latest development on the high street comes amid widespread store closures that have had a significant impact on the economy.\n\nThe Centre of Retail Research predicted that as many as 17,000 shops could close throughout 2025, and October is set to add to this figure with numerous closures for the likes of Poundland, Halifax, and New Look.\n\nFactors such as increasing business costs, shifts in shopping habits to online, increased competition, and higher taxes are all combining to create one of the toughest retail climates we have seen.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
"title": "High street beauty brand to open multiple new locations across the UK: 'Huge movement!'"
}