Retail News CRM

Tag: beauty

  • Firs Innisfreet Canada store opens in Toronto

    Firs Innisfreet Canada store opens in Toronto

    Innisfree Canada has chosen Toronto for its first standalone store.

    The South Korean natural cosmetics brand’s new store will cover around 2500sqft of Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre according to designs. It will use a direct-to-consumer retail model designed to meet a competitive marketplace.

    The “plant-to-bottle” brand, operated by Seoul’s Amorepacific Corporation, partnered with CBRE to enter Canada, with initial targets being major mall space in Toronto and Vancouver. Amorepacific currently owns 33 health, beauty and personal brands.

    Innisfree Canada is not alone in targeting the North American nation, with US company Ulta Beauty and French chain Sephora among prominent names in the beauty products industry recently moving in.

    Over the past five years, more than 150 international brands have opened stores in Canada, more than 50 in 2017. Last year more than 30 brands brought a direct-to-consumer retail model to Canada.

  • Lady Gaga launches beauty brand Haus Laboratories

    Lady Gaga launches beauty brand Haus Laboratories

    Lady Gaga’s makeup brand “Haus Laboratories” will be available for pre-order on July 15.

    The beauty brand is also the first to be sold exclusively on Amazon, according to Business of Fashion.

    Lip gloss will retail for US$16, and makeup kits for US$49.

    Haus Laboratories was unveiled in a video released this week, narrated by Lady Gaga, and featuring her and other models seemingly wearing makeup from the brand.

    The singer said she “never felt beautiful” when she was younger, and “struggled to find a sense of both inner and outer beauty”. However, she eventually “discovered the power of makeup.”

    “I remember watching my mother put her makeup on every morning, basking in the glow of her power to put on her bravest face as the hard working woman she was,” Gaga wrote on Instagram.

    “I then began to experiment with makeup as a way to make my dreams of being as strong as my mother become true.”

    “Sometimes beauty doesn’t come naturally from within. But I’m so grateful that makeup inspired a bravery in me I didn’t know I had.” she wrote.

    “They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but at Haus Laboratories, we say beauty is how you see yourself,” she continued.

  • Dyson opens Beauty Lab in Sydney

    Dyson opens Beauty Lab in Sydney

    On Wednesday, Dyson opened its first ‘Beauty Lab’ in Australia, where customers can book hair styling appointments, drink prosecco and try out and buy the company’s extremely popular hair products.

    Located in Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building, the store marks a shift from the wholesale and e-commerce channels the company has traditionally relied on. While Dyson has previously held pop-ups, the Beauty Lab marks its first permanent bricks-and-mortar location in the country.

    The Beauty Lab concept is focused on educating customers and providing a luxury experience.

    “Dyson is continually disrupting the styling industry and its Beauty Lab is no exception,” said Joey Scandizzo, Dyson styling ambassador.

    “It’s exciting to be part of the journey to create amazing styles and educate people on how to help prevent extreme heat damage by using game-changing Dyson styling technologies.”

    The store features two products – Dyson’s Supersonic hair dryer and Airwrap styler – which took two years and almost £100 million ($179 million) to develop, the company said.

    The styling tools have been extremely popular in a product category that had not seen much innovation for decades, and are only now back in stock after having sold out.

    Customers can make appointments to have their hair styled by an expert at the Beauty Lab. For $50, they receive a complimentary beverage including prosecco, a hair consultation by a Dyson styling expert, a luxury hair wash with treatments and a head massage.

    The session is free for those who purchase a Dyson hairdryer or styler. Buyers will also buy receive a free gift (choosing from a brush kit, Supersonic stand or a woven bag).

    The launch of the Beauty Lab comes after the company added a second call centre in Australia last year, in what it said was a significant commitment to its presence here.

  • Nu Skin flagship ready for the Future

    Nu Skin flagship ready for the Future

    Health-and-beauty firm Nu Skin is rolling out a new store design based on its Shenzhen flagship, which opened in November last year.

    A Digital Signage Connection case study described the Nu Xtore flagship as “a state-of-the-art digital sensory experience centre that incorporates Nu Skin’s history, high-quality products, community involvement and scientific innovation”.

    Two further Nu Xtores are scheduled to open this year in China, following the Shikatani Lacroix Design “future-proofed” format intended to reflect trends in the market and target younger consumers. The design was put together in partnership with consulting firm MetaThink, building a combined conventional and digital experience to support the firm’s brand story and blur the line between gallery, science center, community hub, and event space.

    “Metathink and SLD delivered beyond expectations in elevating the Nu Skin brand to new heights through user-driven insights, meticulous strategy and digital immersive experience design,” said Nu Skin’s VP of marketing Queenie Sheng.

    “It was important to create a cohesive and choreographed experience that flowed from start to finish,” reads the case study on SLD’s store design, centred around a central “Fountain of You” interaction piece that serves as a visual metaphor for youth, wellness and energy.

    “Integration to existing digital tools and applications requiring data exchange added additional levels of complexity to the digital experiences. In very short timelines, all of the graphics, wayfinding, digital experiences and environmental design had to constantly evolve and adapt.”

    The design won a DSE 2019 APEX award in the Retail Environments category.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Adore Beauty Looking at International Expansion

    Adore Beauty Looking at International Expansion

    Online retailer Adore Beauty has officially launched a dedicated website in New Zealand. The move marks a return to international expansion after the company put its plans on ice over the past few years to address rapid growth in the Australian market.

    The completion of a warehouse transformation project in late 2018, which tripled fulfillment capacity, meant Adore Beauty was able to provide the same level of service to overseas customers as those in Australia – a precondition for the company’s founder and CEO Kate Morris.

    “Being able to pay in your own currency, having payment methods you recognize, a strong shipping offer…it’s all about taking the parts of the customer experience that people respond to really well in Australia and figuring out how to do that in New Zealand,” Morris said.

    Adore Beauty’s local New Zealand website, which officially launched on Monday, ticks all of those boxes. The retailer is offering free express shipping on all orders over $50, and same-day dispatch for orders placed by 4 pm, New Zealand time.

    According to Morris, the launch so far has gone better than expected, despite the buzz that Sephora is generating ahead of the opening of its first bricks-and-mortar store in New Zealand later this month.

    “It’s not something we get too wrapped up in to be honest,” she said about the arrival of the French cosmetics giant.

    “Anything that goes towards helping the New Zealand customer get the selection she deserves is generally a good thing.”

    Morris added that Sephora’s expansion in Australia has “grown the pie” for the beauty spending. Indeed, the online retailer expects sales to surpass $100 million this year – more than double last year’s sales of $52 million.

    “We’re seeing a bit of a shift in the way that consumers are approaching shopping for beauty online,” Morris said.

    “When we started 19 years ago, online shopping was all about price. The only reason people shopped online was that things might be cheaper, and that was never really what we were about. Then it moved to be a convenient replenishment option, and that was where a lot of our growth started.

    “What we’re seeing now is that customers are willing to go on a journey of discovery completely online. Between the type of content we’re producing now for our Beauty IQ blog and what we’re doing on Instagram, people are buying products online sight unseen.”

    Adore Beauty offers more than 14,000 makeup, skincare and haircare products from brands including Mac, Napoleon Perdis, Kerastase, Oribe, Aesop, Jurlique and others.

  • Watsons Singapore launches store-in-store Retail concept

    Watsons Singapore launches store-in-store Retail concept

    Watsons Singapore has launched a premium store concept at Takashimaya. The 7000sqft store hosts distinct zones encompassing skincare, hair care, health and personal care, with new brands such as Milani, Pony Effect, and Utena.

    “To keep pace with the innovative, trendy brand image that Watsons is known for, we are very excited to refresh and make a statement with our Watsons Takashimaya store in a new generation premium store format which offers more experiential zones and shopability,” said Irene Lau, Watsons Singapore GM.

    “The expanse of the store allows us to offer more exciting and exclusive brands across skincare, cosmetics, health and wellness for our discerning consumers. In addition, as we continue to evolve in this digital age, we have incorporated smart technologies and gadgets to enhance the shopping experience and increase engagement with our consumers.”

    The refreshed Watsons store also hosts store-in-store (SIS) concepts at its cosmetics, skincare and health zones.

    The L’Oreal Paris SIS offers a comprehensive range of cosmetics, from foundations, eye make-up colours to lipsticks. Maybelline’s SIS offers the Alice+Olivia Maybelline collection, the first-ever fashion make-up collaboration from the company, that is exclusively sold at Watsons Singapore.

    In support of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore, Watsons is introducing two independent homegrown brands, Botanica Culture and Hush Candle, that focus on wellness.

    A seven-metre length Mask Bay allows consumers to find a mask or two that cater to their skin type, beauty concerns or daily needs across 22 brands.

    The Real Techniques wall contains make-up tools and accessories, including performance brushes and expert sponges.

    The new Watsons store will have four full-time pharmacists, led by principal clinical pharmacist, Chung Wing Lam, who was named 2018 Excellence Service SuperStar by Singapore Retailers Association.

    Watsons Singapore’s membership will be automatically upgraded to “Watsons One Pass” which allows members to enjoy benefits when they shop at Watsons stores in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand.

    Lees ook:

  • Sephora reveals final four cities on ‘Beauty Bus’ tour

    Sephora reveals final four cities on ‘Beauty Bus’ tour

    Sephora has announced Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland as the final four cities to be visited by the retailer’s double-decker ‘Beauty Bus’ in July.

    The Beauty Bus will feature Sephora’s own products, as well as Fenty Beauty by Rihanna, tarte, Huda Beauty, Marc Jacobs Beauty on-board, but the products will not be available for purchase.

    “The Sephora Beauty Bus is all about the Sephora experience,” Sephora national artistry lead Alphie Sadsad said.

    “We have an online presence in New Zealand via our online store and app already, so this tour is all about letting our customers swatch, try and play with the products they’ve never seen in person.

    “Come in, try something new and then shop the full Sephora assortment online if you liked what you tried. It’s a whole new way of shopping, and we are excited for New Zealand to be the first to experience it.”

    Wrapped in Sephora’s white and black stripes, the 11-metre bus also offers custom-built makeup stations manned by Sephora makeup artists.

    The Beauty Bus is traveling around New Zealand next month in anticipation of the retailer’s first store in the country, set to open on Queen Street in Auckland in early July.

    The locations of the bus tour were chosen in the retailer’s ‘bring Sephora to your town’ competition, which encouraged Kiwis to vote for the chance to have the bus visit their town.

    While the brand has been tightlipped about its store launch, it is believed to be part of a larger push into the Asia market, which will also see stores opening in Korea and Hong Kong.

    Sephora Asia president Benjamin Vuchot has earlier said New Zealand will be a key market in building the Sephora brand in Asia.

    “This expansion to a new market will allow Sephora to continue to amplify global beauty trends locally, elevate what our clients expect of the in-store experience and bring fresh, digital touch points to the retail environment,” Vuchot said.

    Sephora Beauty Bus locations and dates:

    • Cathedral Square, Christchurch – 12 to 4 pm, 6 July
    • Northlands Mall, Christchurch – 12 to 4 pm, 7 July
    • Oldins Plaza, Wellington Waterfront – 12 to 4 pm, 10 and 11 July
    • Garden Place, Hamilton – 12 to 4 pm, 13 July
    • The Base, Hamilton – 12 to 4 pm, 14 July
    • Sylvia Park, Auckland – 12 to 4 pm, 17 July
    • The Viaduct, Auckland – 12 to 4 pm, 18 July
    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Cosmetics, holiday season bouy China retail sales growth

    Cosmetics, holiday season bouy China retail sales growth

    The rate of China retail sales growth rose for the second consecutive month in May, buoyed by the holiday season.

    According to government data, retail sales rose 8.6 percent, which followed 8.3 percent growth in April and 7.2 percent in March.

    The strongest-performing categories were cosmetics, where sales rose by 16.7 percent, food up 11.4 percent, beverages up 12.7 percent, and daily goods, up 11.4 percent.

    The weakest categories included apparel and footwear, down 4.1 percent, and jewelry, down 4.7 percent.

    Despite efforts by the Chinese government to encourage consumers to upgrade home appliances, that sector remained subdued, growing at 5.8 percent in May and 6.4 percent year to date.

    The growth rate encouraged Jeffries Hong Kong equity analyst Summer Wang to express confidence in Chinese retail companies.

    “We stay bullish on function-led premiumization and content-driven consumption,” she said in a  research note.

    May’s China retail sales growth exceeded the consensus of analysts by about half a percentage point. Excluding inflation, the growth rate was estimated at 6.4 percent in May, following 5.1 percent in April.

    Urban sales rose 8.5 percent, while rural sales were up 9 percent.

    Sales of goods online grew by 21.7 percent in May and now account for 18.9 percent of total China retail sales.

    Lees ook:

  • Chanel Not For Sale

    Chanel Not For Sale

    Luxury fashion house Chanel has dispelled rumours it was planning a stock market listing after posting higher annual sales and profits on Monday.

    The company also announced it is not for sale.

    The French fashion label, owned by the Wertheimer family, said sales rose to nearly $11.1 billion (A$21.29 billion) in the year under the late designer Karl Lagerfeld who passed away last February.

    This is only the second time the luxury brand has publicly announced its results in its 109-year history.

    According to a CNBC report, Chanel’s chief financial officer Philippe Blondiaux had said the company was not for sale and has denied IPO claims.

    “We’ve got to live with the fact that we are one of the most desirable brands in the market,” Blondiaux said. “These rumours will unfortunately keep coming back on a regular basis.”

    “Chanel needs to remain independent, in order to have the freedom to make choices that go against the grain, such as no longer using exotic animal skins, or by harmonising prices.”

    The fashion house, which was founded by Coco Chanel in 1910, announced it saw a 12.5 per cent increase in its 2018 revenues to $11.12 billion, while net profits rose 16.4 per cent to $2.17 billion.

    The company has seen growth across all of its markets last year, led by Asia Pacific where sales increased 19.9 per cent. Sales in Europe rose 7.8 per cent and in the Americas 7.4 per cent.

    The report indicated strong demand from wealthy Chinese consumers both in Europe and overseas has fuelled higher sales and profits in the luxury industry, in spite of a trade dispute between the United States and China.

    Virginie Viard took over as Chanel’s new creative chief and delivered her first solo collection last month for the brand.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Skin-care scammers fined $40,000 for online bait advertising

    Skin-care scammers fined $40,000 for online bait advertising

    A skin care product supplier was fined HK$40,000 yesterday at Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts after being convicted of online bait advertising, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

    Hong Kong Customs had earlier received information alleging the unnamed skin-care product supplier launched an advertisement via the internet and leaflet distribution that a skin care product will be offered at a discounted price on a designated date. However, when a customer visited the store on the same day, she was told the product had already been sold out.

    Investigations revealed that the store had offered just one set of the skin care product for sale on that day.

    Customs said the fine should serve as a reminder to traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure products at reputable shops.

    Under the TDO, any trader who engages in online bait advertising by claiming to supply products at a specified price but failing to offer those products for supply at that price for a reasonable period and in reasonable quantities, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Mecca to open its biggest store ever

    Mecca to open its biggest store ever

    Beauty retailer Mecca is opening its biggest store yet at Westfield Parramatta on Friday, June 7.

    The 500sqm store brings the retailer’s Maxima and Cosmetica concepts together and offers over 100 beauty brands in one large-format location.

    “We are so delighted to unveil our latest and greatest Mecca store,” Mecca founder Jo Horgan said.

    “We really wanted to offer Mecca’s entire brand line-up in the one location, in an environment that was both glamorous and service-centric but also with new innovations to make it a truly unique shopping experience.”

    The store features Mecca’s first dedicated ‘skin space’, where customers can enjoy skincare consultations and services including a personalised, complimentary ‘skin review. The reviews will take approximately 30 minutes and will help customers learn about the skincare they should be using for their skin.

    Additionally, the store features the Mecca Beauty Lab program, where customers can book a place in a beauty workshop. A Mecca expert will teach participants the skills they need to properly utilise the make-up sold in-store.

    During opening day, the first 200 customers in line will receive a free bonus with purchase, while anyone who spends over $85 will be able to choose a gift from a pool of prizes worth over $100,000.

  • Bobbi Brown Sells on Lazada

    Bobbi Brown Sells on Lazada

    Bobbi Brown cosmetics is launching on Lazada Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore this week.

    The flagship stores on Lazada Singapore will see the largest online inventory of products – more than double the selection of the largest existing online distributor.

    Bobbi Brown said its partnership with Lazada will further its mission of bringing “high-touch educational experiences”. The flagship stores will provide consumers tips on selecting the right product for their needs and skin. Customers will also be able to seek advice from the brand’s beauty consultants through Lazada’s instant-messaging feature.

    A live-streaming event tomorrow on the Lazada app will involve makeup tutorials by local beauty influencers. Besides midnight flash sales, there will also be “live” exclusive deals and promotions shoppers can purchase in-app during the livestream.

    The partnership with Lazada will not just extend the reach of its range of products in Southeast Asia, but also to bring more innovative and immersive ways to share educational tips with a larger audience within the shopping experience, according to Bobbi Brown brand manager Yanny Li.

    Bobbi Brown is the fifth brand under Estee Lauder Companies to launch its e-commerce flagship store on Lazada.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Chemists are top choice for Aussie makeup purchases

    Chemists are top choice for Aussie makeup purchases

    Chemists have come out on top in the latest Australian beauty sales data, with 70 per cent of shoppers choosing to purchase makeup at this retailer.

    A report from Field Agent on Women and Makeup found that Priceline was the retailer of choice, with 32 per cent of women choosing it as their number one makeup retailer. Range, price and convenience were the top three reasons customers choose Priceline.

    Chemist Warehouse came in at number two in the top five makeup retailers, followed by Mecca, Myer and Sephora.

    Supermarkets are the fourth most popular retailer when it comes to makeup, with 26 per cent of women choosing to shop there, behind department stores at 29 per cent and specialty beauty stores at 27 percent.

    The figure for online makeup shopping is surprisingly low, with just 10 per cent of shoppers choosing this platform only. Shoppers revealed that having no color test (76 per cent) and being unable to feel the product (55 percent) were the main reasons they don’t buy more makeup online. Physical stores currently have the advantage here, as 61 per cent of shoppers said it is very important to be able test the product before buying. Shoppers also cited shipping costs and delivery times among the reasons they don’t shop makeup online more often.

    Just 5 per cent of those surveyed use online makeup subscriptions, with 8 per cent saying they have before but don’t use the service ongoing.

    The average monthly makeup spend for shoppers is $43. Mac shoppers have the highest average spend, coming in at $48 a month, followed by L’Oreal at $44 and Estee Lauder at $42. More affordable makeup lines Maybelline ($35), Revlon ($26) and Rimmel ($25)come in at below average monthly spends.

    Mac came out on top as the favoured makeup brand, followed by Maybelline, Revlon, L’Oreal and Rimmel.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Sephora confirms Auckland Flagship Opening This Year

    Sephora confirms Auckland Flagship Opening This Year

    Beauty retailer Sephora has confirmed long-standing rumors of an Auckland flagship set to open on Queen Street in 2019. While the retailer launched a local online offering in 2015, the bricks-and-mortar location will be Sephora’s first in New Zealand and is part of a larger push into Asia that will see Hong Kong and Korea added to the brand’s retail locations.

    “We believe that New Zealand will be a key market in building Sephora as the most loved beauty community in Asia, and the world,” said the president of Sephora Asia Benjamin Vuchot.

    “This expansion to a new market will allow Sephora to continue to amplify global beauty trends locally, elevate what our clients expect of the in-store experience and bring fresh, digital touch points to the retail environment to create a virtual, client-centric cycle.”

    Prior to its official announcement earlier this week, Sephora posted a series of job ads on Seek in April, looking for assistant store managers, category coordinators, stockroom managers and supervisors to fill out the Auckland flagship.

    The positions all indicated that prospective employees would need to be available for a recruitment event between May 7 and 8, pointing to an opening in the near future.

    Sephora interim general manager of Australia and New Zealand Pedro Coutinho said the store would be a beauty destination “like no other.”

    “We are so excited to introduce our renowned service offering, a suite of the most sought after beauty brands from around the world and a fun place for our clients to experience and explore their own beauty journey,” Coutinho said.

    “The Sephora client is the future – our customers are ahead of the trends, up to date with the latest brands and they want new products, now. We’ve listened to what our online clients want from Sephora, and this new Auckland location will help us deliver it.”

    Lees ook:

  • Amore Pacific launches Etude House

    Amore Pacific launches Etude House

    Amorepacific Group, the largest global beauty company headquartered in Korea, has launched Etude House in India.

    Etude House has become the third Amorepacific brand introduced to India after Innisfree and Laneige. The brand made its debut on the Indian market on April 30th exclusively through beauty retailer Nykaa.

    Amorepacific plans to expand e-commerce channels to increase reach with millennial customers in the territory, communicating with Indian consumers through Instagram.

    “The Indian beauty market is growing by nearly 10 per cent every year, and this fast growth is driven by millennial customers with increasing disposable incomes and growing interests in global beauty,” said Amorepacific’s group strategy unit head Lee Chang-kyoo. “We see tremendous potential in India to support our goal of strengthening the experience of Asian beauty in the region.”

    “With the launch of Etude House in India, we seek to offer the best beauty experience to our Indian customers – with products that are backed by over 70 years of studies in natural ingredients and world-class innovative technology. This year, we plan to boost our brand operations through online channels.”

    Nykaa chief business officer Nihir Parikh added: “Over the last two years, Nykaa brought Korean beauty to India, introducing customers to their unique innovations and ingredients. The category has been a great success with our customers, who are keen to experience such global trends.”