UK. Jo Malone – which was acquired by The Estée Lauder Companies in 1999 – is poised to bolster its travel retail presence with a 500sq ft airside shop-in-shop at London Heathrow airport terminal three, in conjunction with World Duty Free (WDF).
The new store – the company’s first airport door worldwide – is scheduled to open this Saturday, 9 July.
As previously reported (The Moodie Report.com, 28 January), the company made its travel retail debut onboard British Airways long haul routes on 1 March, with three items.
Within weeks of the launch, the Lime Basil and Mandarin Cologne took and has subsequently maintained the number one position in the fragrance category onboard.
The Heathrow store will recreate the image and environment of the Jo Malone UK domestic shops, and will feature the company’s Tasting Bar, Fragrance Booth and gift-wrapping service.
All items will be presented in the signature Jo Malone luxury cream and black packaging and gift bags.
The store will be staffed by trained Jo Malone stylists, who will offer customers the opportunity to learn how to create their own scents.
And at the Tasting Bar, travellers can enjoy a complimentary hand and arm massage chosen from a “Tasting Menu” specially designed for travel retailing.
WDF Managing Director Mark Riches commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Jo Malone to Terminal three. We know we can deliver the quality of setting, support and audience that such an appealing, desired brand deserves.
“We are constantly looking at the very best brands to add to our customer offer – and Jo Malone is right up there at the top of the list. It’s a wonderful brand with a strong appeal to a cosmopolitan audience and we’re sure our customers will jump at the opportunity to buy the product.”
The Heathrow opening was formally celebrated last night at the flagship Jo Malone store in London’s Sloane Street.
“On 9 July, at 7am, Jo Malone will take the next big step in travel retailing, in partnership with World Duty Free,” declared Regional Sales Director Travel Retailing Europe/Middle East/Africa Bethan Williams at the event.
“We are confident that the world’s first Jo Malone airport store will set new standards”¦as travellers indulge in what Jo herself describes as affordable luxuries.”
Malone’s husband and business partner Gary Willcox (pictured above right with BAA UK Airport Retail Managing Director Colin Hargrave) attended the event, paying tribute to his wife and to the entire team who had helped them build up their business.
“We are now at a new threshold,” he commented. “And we are proud to partner BAA and the Estée Lauder travel retail team, who together have given us a special opportunity to take this British brand much further.
“When we first started out, we had no vision or mission – we just wanted to get our money back,” he laughed. “Now we do have a mission: to be the best of the best. We want a store in every major city in the world, and BAA and WDF will help us to achieve that.”
Jean-Charles Seité (right), newly-appointed Vice President and General Manager Travel Retailing, Europe/Middle East/Africa for The Estée Lauder Companies, added: “I am delighted to be here. Travel retail is exciting because it always offers something new: new locations, new shopping areas and new brands.
“Jo Malone entering Heathrow is a great event. I am sure that starting Saturday, we will have a tremendous business there.”
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