Shoppers Drug Mart launches its first one-stop spa shop

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

By: Lauren Souch

Shoppers Drug Mart has opened the doors to its first luxury cosmetic store, located in Place d’Orléans, Ottawa.
 
The store offers an assortment of high-end and niche cosmetics, including lines by Bobbi Brown, Chanel, and Marc Jacobs.
 
Murale is the first store of its kind in Canada to provide professional beauty and spa services on-site, staffed by a team of dermatologists, cosmeticians, and aestheticians.

The beauty services offered in the store include make up lessons, facials, and body treatments.

 “Murale offers a unique combination of leading beauty and dermatological products and professional, expert services and consultation,” said CEO and President of Shoppers Drug Mart Jürgen Schreiber in a statement issued last week.
 
Tammy Smitham, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Shoppers Drug Mart said the new store aims to compete with both department stores, such as Sears or the Bay, and beauty-centric stores in Canada.
“Essentially, we want to help everyone find their own beautiful,” said Smitham.

A second Murale location is slated to open in Montreal early December, and there are plans to open 5-7 more stores across the country in 2009. According to Smitham, if all goes well, Torontonians could be seeing a store open in the future.
 
Sarah Amaro, a Spa Technician at The Humber Spa, said there could be a demand for such a store in a downtown environment.
 
“I think that for people who are in the working world, where women might only have a half-hour lunch break to learn something about their skin, it could be effective”.
 
However, she also said often the purpose of getting a spa treatment could be lost in a one-stop-shop. “The whole idea and purpose of getting a treatment is for relaxation or to get away from every day life.”
 
Amaro said although there could be demand for such a store, a lot of the store’s success would depend on who Murale markets to, and how effectively.