When Marks and Spencer started selling Cadbury's in their stores I found it mind boggling, as the trusted brand had never stocked anything other than own labels before. The addition of chocolate (and posh coffee, and hand picked other foods) was so succesful that they are now branching out to do the same with a brand spanking new beauty hall.
The new Beauty Hall features brands handpicked from all over the world, including the likes of NUXE (which I LOVE), Leighton Denny, Philip Kingsley, Murad and more! They've cleverly picked a selection that encompasses all areas of nature and science, fused together to show a nice selection that really has something for everyone, from young troubled skin to anti-ageing must haves.
M&S have also dedicated time to training the staff of the beauty hall to be fluent in the products so they can help advise what would work for you. They've also included 'Magic Mirror' devices in the store which allow you to take your photo and place makeup on it to see what would work for you (a lovely idea, and if this is similar to Shiseido's magic mirror technology I'm highly impressed). You can even scan and pay for your item from the touchscreen stand - so if you're feeling antisocial, you can just buy and go super easily!
Their fragrance range was also very exciting, and I learnt about a new brand called Les Senteurs Gourmandes Eaux de Parfum based all around vanilla - seriously, so many different types (favourite is Les Senteurs Gourmandes Eaux de Parfum Vanille Bourbon so far).
This new M&S beauty hall is open in Marks and Spencer in Kensington High Street and online here. More branches of the Beauty Halls will be rolling out in June: by Summer 2013 there'll be 100.
I think it's really cool M&S are offering this and a great way to introduce their shoppers to new brands.
