In advance of the busy holiday shopping season, Holt Renfrew has introduced a brand new e-commerce platform. Currently, the site offers more than 7,000 cosmetics and fragrance items, including those from high-end brands like Christian Louboutin and Tom Ford.
The luxury retailer notes that while the site is currently centred on beauty products, it will roll out more retail categories online in 2016.
Wendy Evans of Evans & Co. Consultants Inc. notes that Holt’s decision to enter the beauty category first is an excellent one. Evans notes that this grouping offers higher margins and simpler operations than apparel, and will likely generate financial support from suppliers.
Doug Stephens, founder of consultancy Retail Prophet, adds that this is a “much needed start” by Holt Renfrew.
“Being available online is simply becoming table stakes – even for luxury retailers and brands,” he says. “Luxury and exclusivity should not be confused with being old-fashioned and obscure.” CJ
