Family-owned luxury jewellers, Laings, has announced plans to open a second TAG Heuer boutique in Scotland, which will be situated in the prime luxury retail location of Multrees Walk in Edinburgh.
The new store, opening in Spring 2024, follows the successful launch of Scotland’s first mono-brand TAG boutique, which opened on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street in September.
The new store further solidifies Laings continued commitment to a bricks and mortar presence and its strive to create the very best, personal customer experiences.
The new showroom, which will span more than 100 m², will create several new jobs for the local area, across various roles including managerial positions and client advisors.
Stuart McDowell, managing director of Laings said: “The proposed opening of a second store marks the latest milestone in the exciting evolution of our relationship with TAG Heuer and demonstrates the luxury brand’s commitment to fully establishing its presence in Scotland.
“With a wealth of collections on display, we are looking forward to welcoming clients into our Edinburgh showroom next year. Whether it be their first venture into luxury Swiss watches or extending a growing passion for TAG Heuer, our clients will be offered a truly exceptional immersive experience.”
Rob Diver, managing director of TAG Heuer UK and Ireland said: “Following the opening of our first boutique in Glasgow this year with Laings, we look forward to further strengthening our new and valued partnership with the esteemed jeweller, and extending the TAG Heuer offering to clients in the Scottish capital, where we are confident TAG Heuer will receive an equally warm reception among the clients.”
The showroom will include an interactive display area showcasing cutting-edge technology, as well as a luxurious lounge, allowing clients to shop in comfort as well as style – along with the usual level of privacy and confidentiality, which has become synonymous with Laings.
The opening of the Edinburgh boutique is part of Laings’ wider multi-million pound investment to build on its legacy as a leading destination for luxury jewellery and watches.
Harrods is proud to announce the launch of its first stand-alone H beauty destination in Scotland, in the heart of Edinburgh, on the 30th November 2021.
Following two successful H Beauty store openings across England, the latest H beauty, will be located at St James Quarter, in the heart of Edinburgh’s shopping district. The latest addition to the H beauty portfolio reflects Harrods’ commitment to bringing its industry-leading expertise in creating luxury shopping experiences through its unique curation of brands, to new communities across the UK.
Offering a game-changing beauty wonderland, the 21,000 sq.ft. space embodies the future of beauty, providing an expansive space for customers to enjoy a diverse portfolio of exceptional services and must-have products from over 90 international beauty brands.
The store is an experiential playground where both beauty novices and experts can discover the industry’s most innovative brands in addition to finding their long-standing favourites.
In keeping with H beauty’s ethos of inclusivity, empowerment, and self-expression, the Harrods buying team, led by Annalise Fard and Mia Collins, has carefully curated a spectacular offering that delivers something for everyone and encourages the H beauty community to play, experiment and celebrate who they are through beauty.
To provide customers with an unmatched and elevated beauty retail experience, each H beauty store is developed with the local beauty community in mind and is designed to bring the most important and vibrant products, brands, and experiences to customers, often for the first time.
H Beauty will support local talent and up and coming Scottish brands, whose values directly connect with Harrods own, with its ‘Born & Bred’ offering, featuring local brands such as Vieve, Moo & Yoo, Kingdom Scotland and Lola’s Lashes.
The store also offers the first physical location in Edinburgh for local customers to test, swatch, play and purchase iconic and coveted products instore from the much-loved Charlotte Tilbury, as well as Keys Soulcare and Kora Organics.
Premium brands such as Chanel, Dior and Givenchy sit alongside cult-favourites, some who until now have only had a limited presence in Edinburgh including Westman Atelier, Kylie Cosmetics, and Sunday Riley.
Annalise Fard, Director of Beauty at Harrods, commented:“The opening of our first H beauty store in Scotland is a significant and hugely exciting milestone for Harrods.
“As a leading authority in luxury and the beauty space, we are committed to meeting the ongoing demand for high quality retail beauty shopping experiences outside of London, through the expansion of our stand-alone H beauty stores, and we take great pride in bringing the essence of Harrods Beauty to local communities across different regions of the UK.
“For H beauty Edinburgh, we have carefully curated an extensive portfolio of brands and products tailored to suit the local customer, which this is reflected in the breadth of beauty collections and services available in store.”
H beauty is a perfume paradise, and as the UK’s leading fine fragrance retailer, Harrods intends to bring the best of what is offered in the Knightsbridge Beauty Halls to regional communities across the UK.
The store’s fragrance offering showcases the sectors growth and the continuous demand for luxury perfumes. With a dedicated Fragrance Bar, boutiques by Maison Francis Kurkdjian and Penhaligon’s, as well as access to brand exclusives from Initio, L’Artisan Parfumeur, Parfums de Marly, and Montale, customers can rediscover their familiar favorites and fall in love with new signature scents.
In addition, H beauty’s extensive skincare offering ensures that there are enriching and effective products to enhance your daily skincare routine or address skin concerns, across a range of different price points.
The store also houses a wealth of innovative beauty gadgets, makeup, candles, and haircare brands that are designed to enhance your inner and outer wellbeing, and up your beauty game with eye-catching looks.
H beauty is an all-encompassing destination for all things beauty and the store is framed by several dedicated boutiques for some of the most iconic names in the industry, from Gucci’s instantly recognisable pastel and floral décor, to Charlotte Tilbury’s glamourous Hollywood-inspired beauty and skincare offering.
Harrods is known for delivering innovative and creative shopping experiences, and at H beauty Edinburgh customers can access interactive make-up tutorials and experiential product testing through state-of-the-art play tables throughout the store.
Additionally, the store’s 14-seat Champagne Bar offers an indulgent menu of patisseries and cocktails created by Harrods’ renowned food and beverage team, providing the prefect space for beauty lovers to sit, sip and reunite with friends.
Mia Collins, Head of Beauty at Harrods, said: “We are delighted to bring the magic of Harrods Beauty to Scotland for the very first time, with our H Beauty St James Quarter store.
“We are so excited to join the avid community of beauty lovers in Edinburgh and we can’t wait to share H beauty and our epic line up of brands & products with them.
“Our new store in Edinburgh features all of H beauty’s iconic signatures including our famous Champagne Bar; the picture-perfect spot to meet loved ones for a glass of something sparkling or a delectable bite to eat, as well as our immersive play-tables and an assortment of new beauty experiences and concepts that will inspire and delight local customers.
“We are bringing a swathe of local and up-and-coming brands, products, and services to our Scottish beauty lovers that aren’t available anywhere else in Edinburgh and I can’t wait to introduce them to this discerning audience.”
Following two successful H beauty openings, the first at Lakeside retail centre in Essex and second at centre:mk in Milton Keynes, H beauty Edinburgh marks the latest chapter in Harrods’ long term strategic plans to bring H beauty to beauty communities around the UK.
The ambitious national expansion will also see two further stores open over the next 12 months in Bristol and Newcastle.
Dedicated to enhancing the customer experience with work undertaken across its showroom, workshops, and service department, this incredible transformation has kept the building’s historic accents at the heart of the restoration, creating a space that celebrates heritage whilst innovating with contemporary design.
Reinforcing its position as a premiere destination for fine jewellery and luxury watches, the focal point of the newly restored showroom is a hand-crafted silver Ginkgo leaf installation fitted above the diamond bar.
This bespoke element was created on the premises by Hamilton & Inches’ master craftspeople with each silver leaf created to honour the team and history which encases the brand. Alongside the installation, clients will be able to purchase a piece of the limited edition Ginkgo collection compromising of beautifully handcrafted contemporary items.
Working closely with Historic Environment Scotland on the plans, Hamilton & Inches partnered with leading conservation practice Simpson & Brown Architects, and founder of award-winning design practice Waldo Works, Tom Bartlett, to restore and revitalise the five-story Georgian building located at 87 George Street.
Mr Bartlett collaborated with Hamilton & Inches CEO, Victoria Houghton, to hand select Scottish materials and furnishings such as curtains from Sinclairs, a professional Edinburgh based workshop, cushions from renowned designers, Timorous Beasties, and leather used for the service desks from local supplier, Alma Leather to further enrich the space and pay homage to its local roots.
New interior features, influenced by historic photographs of the Victorian Hamilton & Inches, include a traditional design palette, incorporating leather cladding, bronze framing, walnut trims, and silk linings, reimagined, and reinvented for today.
Each new element accentuates the ornate historic details of the dramatic Georgian ceiling, alongside chandelier lighting, which creates a generous glow that spills out onto George Street.
Upgrades have also taken place throughout the three floors above the Showroom which continue to be occupied by the team’s master craftspeople and their apprentices, who handcraft bespoke jewellery and silver designs onsite.
Specialist facilities for watch technicians and valuers at ground and lower level have also seen upgrades, including a state-of-the-art Rolex accredited workshop, as well as an expanded Rolex and Patek Philippe presence across the showroom.
In line with the brands’ sustainable ethos, Hamilton & Inches carefully selected local tradespeople for the showroom project, choosing each for their skills, expertise, and like-minded craftsmanship.
By championing local suppliers and using traditional materials, the handpicked organisations have created a trustworthy assurance of quality, ensuring that the showroom delights Hamilton & Inches’ new and returning customers.
Victoria Houghton, Hamilton & Inches CEO, said: “I’m thrilled to unveil the newly restored showroom. This has been an amazing journey, and everyone including local contractors SJS, local chartered quantity surveyors McLeod & Aitken and bespoke joinery and furniture specialists Laurence McIntosh have worked so hard to bring our vision to life.
“The customer experience has been at the forefront of this project since inception. We incorporated residential elements into a retail environment to achieve an inviting and comfortable atmosphere whilst creating a memorable luxury experience.”
Tom Bartlett, Waldo Works founder, said: “It has been a wonderful experience to work with Hamilton & Inches in creating what I believe is the most beautiful store in Scotland.
“It is rare to work with a client who’s focus from the inception was to reflect the quality and design excellence of their product in the design and construction of this intricate showroom.”
Delivering an authentic and bespoke service, the team at Hamilton & Inches is excited to provide customers once again with an unforgettable experience.
To find out more about Hamilton & Inches and the new showroom opening, visit hamiltonandinches.com.
