The new Aesop store allows travellers to explore the product range in a soothing, calming environment.

L’Oréal Travel Retail Asia Pacific has opened a ‘strategically important’ new door for personal care brand Aesop at Kansai International Airport (KIX).

The launch of the skincare, bodycare and haircare label at KIX “is not merely an opening; it is a meticulously engineered investment designed to profoundly transform the passenger experience”, L’Oréal Travel Retail Asia Pacific said in a statement.

Architectural cues nod to Japan’s traditional elegance with paper wall structures encouraging light and ambience, drawing inspiration from the Noguchi lamp to create ‘an inviting, immersive haven’ through soft illumination and complemented by subtle textures to promote a sense of calm.

The setting is designed to increase footfall and extend dwell time while leading to higher conversion rates among the millions of international travellers passing through KIX each year.

Inside, visitors can enjoy a bespoke service and discover the signature sink, where textures and aromas tied to Aesop’s formulations offer a sensory encounter.

Jesus Abia, Managing Director of L’Oréal Travel Retail Asia Pacific, stated: “The interplay between Aesop and its environment is not simply a design principle; it is the very essence of the brand’s enduring characteristic, a key differentiator in travel retail.

“Here, within the dynamic pulse of Kansai International Airport, a truly pivotal global gateway, the store’s inherent connection to the local aesthetic and its deeply considered design, meticulously inspired by traditional Japanese elements, will truly elevate the traveller’s journey, fostering a profound sense of place.

“This enhanced customer experience is paramount for driving engagement and spend. It is our intention to enrich skin, awaken senses, soothe the self, and harmonise surrounds. We are profoundly elated to introduce this significant Aesop store – a strategic investment in a vital market – within such a globally connected travel hub, and we eagerly anticipate offering unparalleled immersive retail experiences that will resonate deeply and memorably with every individual embarking on their journey through KIX, delivering strong commercial returns for our partnership.”

L’Oréal acquired the luxury beauty brand from Natura & Co in August 2023 further to an announcement in April that year.

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