What’s the Clarins brand concept?
Prisca: Our brand innovations are based on beauty through plants, manual massage methods and the concept of ‘feeling good and looking good’. Women are at the heart of Clarins and we listen to our clients, seeking to understanding them so that we can offer tailored formula, texture and application methods for every need. This visionary approach has paved new paths in the field of cosmetics.
Tell us more about the Clarins approach
Prisca: Clarins relies on its own research laboratories to control the entire production process from formulation, evaluation and microbiology to packaging and regulation. Our principle is on-going innovation and the determination to continue to improve our products efficiency, even if they already are number one in their category. Formulas will be enriched and enhanced to ensure it delivers ever more efficacy, quality, pleasure and beauty.
What new spas are you opening?
Morgan: We have just opened a Spa by Clarins at the newly reopened Hotel Molitor Paris - Mgallery Collection (Molitor Lido) and new projects have been starting in Italy, Spain, the Carribean and Mauritius. We continue to be very active in the more mature markets of England, Germany and Switzerland with our Skin Spa network, where we’re continuously improving offerings and treatments, increasing operational performance and selling products linked to the treatment. We have a strong infrastructure and a regional spa team in Singapore and are expanding very fast in Thailand and China.
Tell us more about your new product and treatment innovations
Prisca: We are now launching our new facial treatment collection designed to deliver instant and long lasting beauty results as well as rejuvenating wellbeing benefits. It includes 10 new facials for men and women and uses plant-based formulas.
This new facial collection has been clinically tested with spectacular anti-ageing results revealing a 29 per cent reduction in the volume of wrinkles following treatment. They also deliver wellbeing benefits. Tests on 30 volunteers showed people recovered better and faster during a single Anti Ageing Treatment than after two night’s sleep.
What’s the strategy for 2016?
Morgan: At our Skin Spas (Clarins owned and operated day spas) we are focusing on continously improving our guest experience while improving profitability and we have a few exciting openings in the pipeline for 2016. With hotels, we are looking for the right partners to open Spa by Clarins and Spa My Blend by Clarins in capital cities and at leisure destinations.
We will be introducing a new retail concept and client experience journey at new boutiques in key cities, starting with the recently opened ION Orchard retail development in Singapore, with the next opening in Paris. Our retail capacity has tremendous opportunity for growth.
What do you look for in a spa partner?
Morgan: As we plan for long term win-win partnerships, firstly we look for partners who share a common vision and values with us. Secondly, we look for high quality standards in terms of facilities, brand positioning and location of the property.
We wish to partner with hoteliers looking forward to launching profitable and sustainable business. Last but not least, we are extremely demanding with staff skills and expertise. Too many projects skim on spending on people and yet have high expectations, which then can’t be met. We have very loyal associates and it’s important our partner treat its staff well and we can trust them to do so.
What does Clarins offer spas?
Morgan: Clarins started out with day spas 60 years ago and has grown in spa and retail channels since, so we understand what it takes to operate a spa and we share this know how with our partners.
In addition to our own special Clarins method based on pressing and draining, offering personalised treatments and coming with professional products, we also design signature treatments for our partners.
One of our main assets is that people trust our products - they are safe and deliver the results they promise. We find referral is a big strength for us and women of all ages recommend Clarins because they use our products and trust our brand.
Clarins is one of the world’s top skincare brands and our track record of success with our existing hotel partners proves that the Clarins name and brand strongly benefits their spa profitability.
What are your bestselling ranges?
• Prisca: Aroma-Phyto Beauty Care combines aromatherapy and phytotherapy for the face and body and has become a legendary brand icon.
• Clarins treatment fragrance collection combine the uplifting action and fragrance of plants, of which Eau Dynamisante is the most celebrated since 1987, with a product sold every 25 seconds worldwide.
• Advanced Age Defense is a pioneering skin care line symbolic of Clarins’ on-going innovation.
• Double Serum is our newest hit and combines hydrosoluble and liposoluble anti-ageing ingredients in two separate formulas.
• ClarinsMen is also popular and uses an innovative energising complex that combines bison grass, galangal and purslane.
What support do you offer spas?
Morgan: The project team gets consistent support right from the early design stage, from both the international spa division and the local Clarins team. We share our expertise in all aspects of spa - financial planning, spa set up and architecture, pre-opening, menu development, assistance with recruitment, staff training and ongoing education, product merchandising and retail expertise, personalised marketing activities and PR events. Importantly, Clarins Spa partners benefit from our brand notoriety and the spa is able to command authority based on the Clarins name it is associated with.
How does the Clarins family legacy impact the modern business and your approach?
Prisca: Everything Clarins is today started with one man, Jacques Courtin-Clarins - an ingenious entrepreneur. He perfected his product formulas by taking account of his clients’ questions, observations and suggestions and a very private ‘beauty dialogue’ came into being. Without the reactions of women to inspire reflection and innovation, Clarins would not have been Clarins. His sons, Christian and Olivier Courtin-Clarins, took up the story of Clarins with the same enthusiasm and I have been involved since 2013.
We’ve always had a clear, dynamic vision to be an effective beauty brand that contributes to our customer’s wellbeing, harmony and happiness.
