Swiss luxury skincare brand Cellcosmet makes China debut with HTDF

CHINA. Swiss skincare, beauty and wellness brand Cellcosmet launched yesterday at Hainan Tourism Duty Free Shopping Complex in Sanya, marking the high-end skincare label’s first physical store in China.

Hainan Tourism Duty Free Shopping Complex is operated by licence holder Hainan Tourism Investment Duty Free Co (HTDF), which opened the store in downtown Sanya on 30 December last year.

Opening in time-honoured style: The Cellcosmet launch ceremony was attended by HTDF Chairman and General Manager Xie Zhiyong, Cellcosmet China General Manager Zhang Yong and Deputy General Manager Sun Yahong, along with other senior executives

As reported, during the past month the retailer has introduced a wide array of fashion and high-end brands. It has added 59 brands to its cosmetics and fragrance zone, ranging from niche cult favourites to high-end names.

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Since opening, Hainan Tourism Duty Free Shopping Complex has attracted more than 700 international and domestic brands, covering 45 offshore duty free categories. Luxury skincare brands include La Mer and La Prairie.

The Cellcosmet launch ceremony on the fourth floor of the retail complex was attended by HTDF Chairman and General Manager Xie Zhiyong, Cellcosmet China General Manager Zhang Yong and Deputy General Manager Sun Yahong, along with other senior executives.

In his speech, Zhang Yong said that Cellcosmet, as a high-end Swiss skin care brand, has been the first choice for high-end spas since being introduced to China nearly eight years ago. That underlined the brand’s quality allure to consumers, he noted.

The launch at Hainan Tourism Duty Free Shopping Complex time marks a breakthrough for the brand, he added. The store offers an excellent opportunity to reach end consumers directly, introducing Cellcosmet’s unique active ingredient, cutting-edge, anti-aging technology to more Chinese users. The retail presence will help consumers solve their skincare and aging problems, while their direct feedback would help the brand’s sustainable development in China.

Xie Zhiyong commented: “Thank you Cellcosmet for your confidence in offshore duty free and for setting up your first physical store in China within Hainan Tourism Duty Free Shopping Complex.

“We are convinced that Cellcosmet’s cutting-edge skin beauty concept, refined skin care technology, and selected essence can bring more targeted skin management solutions and more memorable skincare experiences to our customers.”

Young female consumers test out the Cellcosmet skincare range

Xie noted that Hainan Tourism Duty Free Shopping Complex has introduced many firsts to the Hainan offshore duty free market recently.

Brands to have made their Hainan offshore duty free debut with HTDF over the past month include Tasaki, 13De Marzo, Mark M, Boy London, Joyrich, Li-Ning, Sensai, Ahava, Gellé Frères, Axxzia, Cellcosmet & Cellmen, Erno Laszlo and others.

HTDF hopes to create the most comprehensive and richest fragrance brand portfolio in Hainan’s offshore duty free sector, Xie noted. In terms of apparel, the company has created a differentiated positioning around the concept of ‘trendy fashion space’, introducing a wide array of popular brands from Europe, America, Japan, Korea and China that particularly appeal to young people. This is part of our plan to better serve young consumers, he said.

About Cellcosmet

In 1982, Cellcosmet founder Roland Pfister founded the Cellap Laboratoire, dedicated to the research and development of cell skincare products. His clinical pursuits at the forefront of cellular science led to him discovering cellular therapy (based on the premise that a tired or stressed cell becomes revitalised when in contact with a young cell).

He was able to adapt this concept to the world of skincare by creating the revolutionary CellControl method which preserves the powers of stabilised cellular extracts. This development continued in 1987 when, with the support of his spouse, Edith Pfister and in conjunction with biologists, pathologists, dermatologists and skincare authorities, the Cellap Laboratoire launched the Cellcosmet and Cellmen brands for women and men, respectively.

Cellcosmet founder Roland Pfister and his wife Edith [Picture: Cellcosmet-cellmen.com]
Note (1): Hainan’s booming offshore duty free sector will be the centrepiece of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October). A dedicated zone, called Hainan Discovery, one of the most exciting enhancements to this year’s Expo, will showcase the duty free sector and the island’s Free Trade Port development. Hainan Discovery is hosted this year by Hainan International Economic Development Bureau (IEDB). For details visit www.VirtualTRExpo.com

Note (2): Every fortnight The Moodie Davitt Report publishes Hainan Curated, in association with Foreo, a selection of all recent stories from the offshore duty free sector in Hainan province.

Please email Sinead@MoodieDavittReport.com to subscribe free of charge.

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