Retail concepts

Last chance: So Dior at Harrods



Gosh isn’t there a lot going on with retail right now? Online may be the all-powerful monster threatening the high street, but bricks and mortar stores are fighting back by ramping up the drama and excitement on offer.

This weekend is your last chance to get involved in the multi-sensory experience that is Dior at Harrods. (more…)



Free goody bag: Cult Beauty’s ultimate gift with purchase



The beauty sample box phenomenon keeps on growing. (There are now even sites dedicated to swapping and collecting products.) Cult Beauty has its own take on the idea with its ‘goody bags’ which work as a tempting GWP.

From today* if you spend £50 or more, you can receive a swag bag of cult minis, including NCLA’s Peter Som nail wrap collection, 3ml Dr Lipp Original Balm and 3ml Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax. (more…)



In-flight shopping the Fabergé way



Oh boy, how the other one per cent lives! While I spend Easter gorging on Milk Tray Green & Blacks eggs in (highly likely) snowy showers, others are jetting to warmer climes  – airport strikes notwithstanding. But for the super-luxe jet set, it gets even better. Forget the obligatory bottle of Chanel scent, passengers on a VistaJet flight can buy these oh-so-exclusive Fabergé eggs to satisfy their in-flight shopping urge.

Available as part of its spring ‘Egg Miles’ project, Fabergés limited edition collection of fine jewellery egg pendants is available to buy in cabin for a period of three weeks (from $7,900). According to Fabergé, this is a reflection of a ‘trend for luxury retail at altitude’. Which naturally begs the question, what other frivolously expensive goodies are up for grabs?



Jo Malone London’s pop art Red Roses



What do we think of the new limited edition Jo Malone London Red Roses bottle? Created by new(ish) style editor, Charlotte Stockdale, it has a neon pink pop art-esque paint drip on the bottle which is certainly striking and a departure from your average Jo Malone London bottle design.

I’m a bit divided on this one. Much as I love Charlotte Stockdale, the classicist in me secretly prefers the traditional elegance of Jo Malone London. But I suspect the brand is keen to broaden its reach to younger (or ‘cooler’) customers and this is a good start. I will add that having seen the bottle in the flesh, it’s growing on me – the neon is a really bold contrast to the trademark JML cream and black.

What do you think?

The limited edition (only 300 bottles), hand numbered Jo Malone Red Roses cologne (£120) will be available from Selfridges from 1st April.