Welltodo Today: Whitbread Buys Into Wellness, Wearables Replacing Gym Memberships

Today’s key global wellness news articles from around the world, impacting the industry and influencing the business of wellness.

Costa owner Whitbread buys stake in food chain Pure

Whitbread, the hospitality company behind Costa Coffee and restaurants including Beefeater Grill, is balancing out its diet after buying a 49 per cent stake in a healthy food-to-go chain for £6.8m. Pure, which was founded by entrepreneur Spencer Craig in 2009, has eight outlets serving up salads and wraps to health-conscious commuters in locations including Moorgate and Soho.

Will wearables replace gym memberships for corporate wellness?

Market intelligence firm Tractica says wearables might be the next craze for the enterprise and industry sectors, as more businesses start to launch corporate wellness programs and integrate wearables into everyday work. Sales in the sector are expected to skyrocket from 2.3 million in 2015 to 66.4 million in 2021, according to Tractica.

This 27-year-old CEO is taking on Lululemon and Nike

Harder, stronger, faster, better. These terms have long been ingrained into brands that have dominated the athletic apparel market for decades. But for Tyler Haney, the messaging never quite resonated. Haney, now 27, grew up in Boulder, Colorado, hiking, playing basketball and hurdling.

Bannatyne’s eyes Fitness First sites after profits more than double

The company, which bought Clarice House and Xpect Leisure last year, grew its membership by 14pc over the year to 186,456. Mr Musgrove said the group added 9,000 new members in the first three months of this year, bringing its total membership to just over 195,000.