Department store retailer  Kohl's is moving into the health and wellness areas it has unveiled a pilot program with WW — previously known as Weight Watchers — for an in-store WW Studio. Select Kohl's stores and Kohls.com will begin offering WW Healthy Kitchen products in June, and store associates can also gain subsidized WW Freestyle program memberships through the Kohl's Healthy Rewards program. The first WW Studio this year will take up about 1,800sqft (approx. 168sqm) inside a Chicago Kohl's store, and will host WW Wellness Workshops for local WW members, as well as a specially curated WW space for Kohl's customers and associates.

Kohl's has already been trying to establish itself as a destination for health and wellness gear. Last year, it started devoting more square footage in some stores for athletic apparel, saying that was helping lift sales. The tie-up is also another way Kohl's hopes to differentiate itself from its peers that are struggling to keep shoppers coming to their stores rather than shop online.

Press release: Kohl's and WW collaborate to Support Wellness and Healthy Living