14 March, 2021

TRP Travel Retail Style Index: March 2021

Cho Gi Seok for CR Fashion Book

Welcome to the latest travel retail column for DRG by Alison Farrington aka The Retail Planner (TRP).

This month’s highlights are a new sustainability experience pop-up in Hainan, China as well as region-centric luxury launches in the Middle East and Asia that hint at a return to localised exclusivity.

1/ LANCÔME’S SUSTAINABLE PURPOSE. I’m impressed with the way Lancôme has translated its latest sustainability message of ‘Caring Together for a Happier Tomorrow’ into an interactive pop-up in Sanya, Hainan. The campaign space celebrates the launch of Lancôme Absolue Rose Soft Cream Refill Set amidst a sea of roses at the resort island’s China Duty Free shopping mall atrium.

Instead of the usual selfie-culture beauty-tech attractions, Lancôme has switched to an informative note. Once inside the pop-up, guests can create a virtual rose bouquet as a pledge to plant a physical rose at the company’s Domaine de la Rose farm in Grasse, France, or they are whisked away on a virtual bike ride around the rose farm while they learn about Lancôme’s renewable energy production. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 0 Comments Beauty, Brands, Design, News, Retail concepts, Shopping Alison Farrington, business of beauty, Chanel, fragrance, Hermes, Lancome, Net-a-porter, retail concepts, travel retail

6 January, 2021

TRP Travel Retail Style Index: January 2021

Welcome to the latest travel retail column for DRG by Alison Farrington aka The Retail Planner (TRP).

As the first update of the New Year, we kick off with a brief look at the new laws for duty free here in the UK, as well as some positive retail news from China.

1/ SEE EU LATER. This month, there will undoubtedly be much Brexsplaining going on as travellers come to terms with the cancellation of tax-free shopping refunds for luxury fashion purchases in the UK. As of 1 January, the government has abolished the VAT Refund Scheme for non-EU travellers in the UK, meaning that shoppers from overseas can no longer claim their tax back on luxury purchases when they return home, unless the goods are shipped separately from the traveller (cost prohibitive). Meanwhile, the good news is that duty-free shopping is back for travel between the UK and EU (for alchohol and tobacco only), which means a Brexit bonanza for fans of the booze cruise. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 0 Comments Beauty, Brands, Business of fashion, News, Shopping Alison Farrington, Bamford, business of beauty, fragrance, Gucci, Helena Rubinstein, Jo Malone London, Penhaligon's, retail news, shopping, technology, travel retail

26 November, 2020

Oh look, another celeb beauty launch

Humanrace skincare

I’m so cynical about celeb beauty lines and yet completely seduced by this Pharrell-founded skincare brand, Humanrace. I just love this clean, clinical packaging and I hope the products smell of Granny Smiths.

For the marketing campaign, Pharrell has used extreme close-ups of smooth-skinned, modern day influencers, including the artist Blondey and a robotic cancer surgeon called Dipen Parekh. The blurb is all very worthy which is a bit of a turn-off for me. I guess all that needs to be seen is if non-influencer people talk about it and if it’s actually any good. (You can buy it here – when it’s not sold out – from $32.) (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 2 Comments Beauty, Brands, Business of fashion, News, Trends beauty, business of beauty, celebrities, clean beauty, Humanrace, Pharrell Williams, skincare

14 October, 2020

Buy it now: Japanese Cleansing Cloud solid balm

Japanese Cleansing Cloud solid cleansing balm

It’s a super exciting day today.

Jane Cunningham, aka British Beauty Blogger is launching her first skincare product. And it sounds brilliant. Japanese Cleansing Cloud is a cloud-shaped solid balm bar (£12) that she describes as the tipping point between a cleansing oil and a soft solid balm soap. It can be used ‘everywhere’, from the hands to face to body. (more…)