Clinique opens new branded store
The cult classic turned household name skin-care now has a stand-alone boutique in Vancouver
Clinique is one of those beauty and skin-care brands that needs no introduction.
The brand behind cult-classic products such as the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and Take the Day Off Makeup Remover has long been available at retail outposts across Canada, which has made it a household name for many beauty shoppers.
And now, its products are also available in its own branded store.
Clinique Canada recently announced the opening of its first stand-alone boutique, located in Richmond Centre. We asked Artur Klepacz, the brand general manager for Clinique Canada, to dish up the details on the new store, what made this the right time to open a stand-alone shop and what the reaction to the space has been so far:
Q What made this the right time to open the first Clinique stand-alone boutique?
A
The opportunity to create a dedicated Clinique space that visually and experientially communicates the brand’s identity and expertise was tremendously appealing. As you can imagine, bringing this concept to life meant a lot of planning, patience and hard work behind the scenes to ensure that we had all the elements from the best design to the right location aligned. As a result, we opened this Clinique store confident that we were able to deliver an exciting, multi-layered retail environment that empowers consumers and truly enhances their overall shopping experience.
Q And what made Metro Vancouver — and Richmond Centre, specifically — a good fit?
A
Vancouver has always been home to very enthusiastic and loyal fans of Clinique, so we’re thrilled to open our first free-standing store on the West Coast. CF Richmond Centre presented us with a timely opportunity, and a fantastic location for us to offer a fully immersive Clinique-brand experience to some of the most passionate skincare and makeup enthusiasts in the country.
Q What makes this store truly unique?
A
This new Clinique store is not only beautiful in design, but it’s a modern, easy-to-navigate environment that invites visitors to explore and play at their leisure. It’s really a onestop-shop for all the latest and greatest Clinique products and services which makes it ideal for both longtime fans, and those just getting to know the brand. We’ve incorporated interactive technology that enhances every step of the shopping experience, along with dedicated skincare, foundation and colour walls that visually encourage guests to pickup, test and play.
Q What can you share about these digital displays?
You’ll see animated digital displays highlighting Clinique’s iconic imagery while a “trending-now” table showcases the latest trending beauty looks, and the brand’s hottest new products. There are also iPads available in-store where guests can access Clinique’s complete library of YouTube videos, and browse engaging stories featured on Clinique’s editorial hub The Wink. This will also be the place to find limited-edition, Clinique exclusives not available elsewhere, as well as a great place to come for special seasonal events.
Q Aside from a full range of Clinique products, what can you share about the services offered to visitors?
A
The real surprise and delight of the Clinique store is the robust menu of You Time Services delivered by an amazing team of dedicated Clinique Consultants. These free, customized beauty services are designed to cater to a whole range of potential beauty requests. Whether you’re looking for an easy skin-care routine that delivers a beautiful, glowing complexion, or some quick, insider tips on finding the perfect red lip for your skin tone; you’ll find your go-to expert on this Clinique team.
Q What has been the reaction to the shop so far?
A
The response to the store has been incredible. People have been so generous with their positive comments, and we get new feedback every day both from first-time shoppers in the store, and those already on their second or third visit since the opening. What we’ve really noticed is the amount of time that women are spending in the store when they visit. They seem to really enjoy exploring the space, experimenting with the products and taking advantage of our You Time Services like “Glow on the Go” and “Hydrators for Healthy Skin.”
Q Lastly, what’s next? Any future boutique plans you can share?
A
It’s been an amazing experience opening this new store at CF Richmond, so for now we’re going to enjoy celebrating this milestone while we continue to focus on creating the best in-store experience for everyone who comes through our doors.