The Aesop store in Sanya opened on 23 December 2024.

L’Oréal Travel Retail Asia Pacific has announced the inauguration of an Aesop store in Hainan in partnership with China Duty Free Group at CDF Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex Block C.

The new store, which opened on 23 December 2024, marks Aesop’s debut travel retail destination in Hainan.

TRBusiness revealed the news of a Hainan store opening for Aesop back in October 2024, in Jesus Abia’s first interview as Managing Director of L’Oréal Travel Retail Asia Pacific, who told us “we are taking our time to do it, and make it a perfect experience for our travellers”.

Commenting on the Sanya opening, he said: “A momentous occasion unfolds with the arrival of Aesop’s first travel retail destination in Hainan. The interplay between Aesop and its environment is a defining characteristic of the brand.

“Here in Hainan, the store’s inherent connection to nature and considered design elevates the journey, enriching skin, senses, self, and surrounds. We look forward to unparalleled immersive retail experiences for our travellers.”

The store design was conceived by Aesop’s in-house designers to capture a childhood memory of seeing sunlight refracted through water while swimming, and shimmering patterns on the ocean floor.

The store is a shining example of  L’Oréal Travel Retail’s vision to continually reinvent the traveller experience through engaging experiences.

Through Aesop’s distinctive approach to store design – which sees the brand tailor its design to each locale – visitors can enjoy a sensorial experience that encourages them to form a deep connection with the brand.

Visitors to the store can immerse themselves in a sensorial discovery of the formulations.

The space is inspired by the landscape of Hainan island, with memories of sunlight refracting through water while swimming influencing the store’s architecture.

A key aspect of the design is the use of algae as an architectural material. This is featured on light fixtures which, in turn, cast dappled waves of light across the space.

The Aesop Sanya store has been tailored to reflect its island location, with a variety of the brand’s signature services for shoppers.

Visitors can experience warm hospitality, bespoke consultations and embark on a sensory exploration of the formulations.

Signature touches of the brand have been weaved into the journey, from a welcoming cup of tea along with oshibori, to the fragrance discovery taking place in a specially designed space dedicated to Aesop’s ‘unconventional’ Eaux de Parfum.

In creating the distinctive look and feel of the store, the Aesop in-house design team worked with artist and experimental designer Jessie French to incorporate algae as an architecture material.

To celebrate the store opening, customers will be able to discover Hainan tea flavours while they explore the space and can collect a printed neighbourhood guide that offers a curated sensory tour of local sights. (This is available for a limited time, from 18 January).

“We are pleased to welcome Aesop, a brand of distinct creativity and inspiration, to our flagship travel retail destination in Hainan,” said Dorothy Liu, Vice President / Deputy General Manager, Product Merchant Department of China Duty Free Group.

“Challenging convention and cultivating novel experiences for our discerning clientele remains a central pursuit. We celebrate Aesop’s successful opening and anticipate further collaborations in the years to come.”

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