L’Occitane Travel Retail Asia Pacific launched its first sustainability concept store in Hainan at Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Haitang Bay earlier this month.
 
The store, which underscores the brand’s green credentials, has been brought to life in partnership with China Duty Free Group (CDFG).

It showcases L’Occitane’s deep commitment to sustainability, having been constructed from 84% eco-certified materials in line with the brand’s guiding principle of ‘Rethink, Recycle, Reduce’.

Inside, shoppers can discover a number of special features and activations championing sustainable living.

“We hope that the launch of our first sustainability concept store in Hainan will prove inspirational for our customers in finding ways to recycle, reduce waste, and promote the biodiversity of the planet,” said Estelle de Bure, General Manager of the L’Occitane Group Travel Retail Asia Pacific.

“We truly appreciate the continued support of our partner, CDFG, in working closely with us to underline how crucial sustainability is to all of us in our everyday lives, and to the planet as a whole.”

Shoppers are greeted by a welcoming display of eco-friendly 3D sculptures created by local artists and made from FSC sustainable paper.

Digital activations showcase the brand’s sustainable commitments via augmented reality and interactive experiences.

“We are delighted to partner with L’Occitane Travel Retail once again with this important and unique sustainability initiative at the Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex,” said Grace Wang, General Manager, Perfume & Cosmetics of China Duty Free Group.

“China Duty Free Group is delighted to offer Hainan travellers the opportunity to enjoy this exclusive eco-experience with an emphasis on caring for the environment and protecting biodiversity.”

Looking more closely at the process for the store, L’Occitane highlights the sustainable strategy that has been utilised, from concept through to construction, with an emphasis on end-of-life recycling and upcycling.

Eco-friendly materials, without the use of plastic, are at the heart with lightweight bamboo utilised for fixtures (instead of pine).

Turning to electric delivery trucks means the carbon footprint of the new boutique has been ‘greatly reduced’.

To emphasise the message on reducing waste, the store features a striking chandelier fashioned from recycled L’Occitane Immortelle Reset Triphase Essence glass bottles.

The resin tabletops are also created from upcycled glass.

Furthermore, the flooring has been upcycled from the reclaimed timber of an old Chinese wooden boat.

To promote the circular economy concept, spotlights from the previous L’Occitane shop have been re-used in the new store.

Adding to its eco-friendly prowess, L’Occitane Travel Retail is the first beauty brand to partner with CDFG and TerraCycle China in implementing a bottle return programme at Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Haitang Bay with the aim of encouraging routine recycling.

L’Occitane en Provence is known for its fight against plastics and for championing sustainability within the travel retail industry.

The company has pledged that, by 2025, 100% of its plastic bottles will be manufactured from 100% recycled waste.