Superdrug has partnered with a technology start-up to pilot a health smartphone app in six Welsh stores. 

The app had been designed by Welsh company Nudjed to help customers stay fit and would be available in the six pharmacies in time for Christmas, Superdrug said. Staff at the participating branches in Llanelli, Swansea, Monmouth, Cardiff, Newport and Caerphilly will also be trained by nutritionist on behalf of Nudjed to give better health advice, the multiple said.

Customers in the pilot sites will be offered a free one-month trial of the app, which usually costs £5 a month. The app's subscription service provides users with step-by-step challenges to help them achieve fitness goals, such as running a half marathon, and sends timed text messages to encourage them throughout the day. 

The pharmacies would also host free health checks for customers and Superdrug planned to roll the whole scheme out across the UK next year, it said. 

Nudjed chief operations officer Neil Atherton described the partnership as an "innovative step by Superdrug" that strengthened its "growing reputation as a wellness brand rather than a health and beauty retailer".

"Though it's a relatively small trial, it's a huge endorsement for Nudjed. We are delighted to be working with the Superdrug team on such an exciting project," he added.

Superdrug head of healthcare services Ian Lloyd said the partnership reflected Superdrug's commitment to investing in services to help meet its customers' health and wellbeing needs. "We're excited to see the results that bringing this exciting technology to stores has for our customers," he added.

Earlier this year, Superdrug launched its three-hour prescription delivery service, which it claimed was the "fastest online doctor service in the UK". 

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