NEW YORK — Henri Bendel continues to have its sights set on skin care.
At its semiannual beauty breakfast yesterday morning — where the retailer presented new brands and launches to some 90 newspaper and magazine editors — not a single new color brand was present.
“We’re seeing a real explosion in treatment and skin care lines,” said Claudia Lucas, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of beauty for Henri Bendel. “There’s not much color out there that’s new or of any significance.”
This is perfect timing for the retailer, which of late has been focusing on increasing its treatment business, and just recently brought in the Estée Lauder Cos.’ Rodan & Fields brand. Lucas noted that skin care now accounts for 15 percent of Henri Bendel’s beauty business. In the past, it accounted for just 6 percent.
On the main floor, certain changes were already apparent. The gazebo space, which in the past has operated as a flexible space for mainly fashion brands, was recently cleared to make room for the Henri Bendel bath and body line. The 700-square-foot space is now solely dedicated to the store’s colorful assortment of signature candles, creams and fragrances. Lucas said that, while the space continues to be flexible, the line will remain there at least through this spring.
Brands new to Bendel’s included Borba, a line of water designed to deliver benefits ranging from antiaging to anticellulite; Dr. Jessica Wu, a dermatologist skin care brand that incorporates both Eastern and Western philosophies, and the new C.O. Bigelow line of skin and body care, which is owned by the store’s parent company, The Limited Brands, and will launch on Feb. 20. Lucas said that space for Bigelow will be made toward the back of the store, near an area that currently houses hair accessories.
“It’s something I’m really excited about,” Lucas said of the Bigelow launch. “They’ve really lifted as much out of the history books as they could — some of their formulas go back 100 years. It’s a real New York brand.”
Overall, Lucas felt that editors and vendors alike were pleased with the event. “It’s a way of helping the smaller brands and helping us, as well,” she said. “They grow and get more successful — it’s all a part of how we develop our business and help them develop their business.”
