the goddess of rebirth and FEATURE self expression

1.

The last few years have been extremely challenging for the beauty industry in Canada because of the global pandemic, so why start a new retail concept focused on beauty at this time?

Although the pandemic was a complex and challenging experience for most retail and servicebased sectors, both beauty and wellness categories saw tremendous e-commerce growth. Now that consumers are motivated to visit brick-and-mortar retail Rennaï recognizes an opportunity to offer this duality and redefine what a personalized, immersive, and inspiring experience is for our customers. With the support of our investment partners, Carbonleo and L Catterton Real Estate, Rennaï will open its first flagship retail location in August 2024 at Royalmount, a new, luxury mixeduse development in Montreal, Canada, bringing together all the services and products that consumers desire into one location.

Today’s savvy consumer expects a smooth, synchronized, and uncomplicated experience between digital and IRL. Retail must amplify their digital experience and encourage return visits. For example, they may discover a cosmetic product online but will make the trip to a store to experiment and become educated on use, colourways, complimentary products, and services.

2.

How will you differentiate yourselves from all the others in this competitive space?

We believe the introduction of Rennaï to the retail space will mark an unparalleled holistic approach to the concept of a self-care routine. Imagine visiting one location to shop for your products, take in a cosmetic demo, enjoy a manicure and a high-tech facial and then later, review your personalized routine on a digital profile and plan your next experience. Rennaï will be home to the most advanced treatments and services in the industry which will include traditional aesthetics, dermatology, nutrition, a fragrance zone, and a revitalizing retreat all coexisting in a holistic, sustainable, world-class location.

3.

What is your raison d’etre? Are your plans to be a player; a disruptor or are you filling a void in the market?

Our raison d’etre will be to make it effortless for consumers to prioritize their self-care and to find innovative services and coveted and beloved brands in a one-stop-shop. The current landscape requires us to visit several different locations to receive services and make beauty purchases.

Rennaï’s beauty and wellness philosophy will offer a 360-degree approach and encourage us to redefine our routines.

4.

Who is your target customer? Why do you believe they are in need of or will embrace your concept?

Just as the retail landscape has evolved, so has the customer. Their expectations are high – and they should be. There is a widespread demand for accessibility within beauty and wellness and every type of consumer niche should be serviced. The customer of the future continues to be timestarved as well as bombarded with an abundance of content and information. Rennaï answers their need to save time, by having a variety of services and products in one place. Beyond the in-person experience, our content will be balanced with inspiration and science-based facts, ensuring our audience is exposed to qualified information from true industry experts who live and breathe in this space.

5.

What is the inspiration behind the name and the concept?

Rennaï is our muse, the goddess of rebirth and self-expression. She inspires us to rejuvenate through the practice of self-care and self-love. The name Rennaï originates from the French word renaissance, meaning rebirth and renewal. The beauty and wellness industry is experiencing its own renaissance – with the two worlds intersecting. Rennaï is in step with this movement and our concept reflects this. We will inspire and educate our customers, we will curate their purchases, and provide personalized routine services so that they maximize their results and save time in the process.

A person’s beauty routine is bigger than what’s in their make-up bag & medicine cabinet.

6.

How do you feel the name will resonate with Canadian consumers?

I think our name will be embraced by Canadians and our future global audience. Rennaï will be known as the trusted friend and the authority on self-care – placing advice consultation and services at the heart of a community. We believe it’s time to recognize customers as true individuals.

7. What brands will you carry for launch?

Rennaï will partner with brands that represent unique and inspiring collections and who promote our shared brand values. Today’s consumer is looking for more than just a product - they shop for brands that tell compelling stories and that stand for something meaningful. We will ensure beauty and self-care is accessible to everyone, regardless of their skin colour, body type, or gender identity by partnering with brands that are committed to diversity and inclusivity and are tailored to a wide range of needs and preferences are paramount.

8.

Your first location is planned for Montreal next year.

I’m very excited to be starting our journey in Montreal. As Canada’s second-largest city, Montreal has a vibrant community and is culturally diverse with its European and global influences. Located in Montreal’s midtown, Rennaï will join over 100 of the worlds most coveted brands complimented by an array of premier restaurants, alongside an office campus, a hotel, and a serene city park as part of Royalmount, the first 100% carbon-neutral mixeduse development in the Americas and the largest LEED Gold retail project in Canada.

9.

What does the expansion look like and how quickly do you believe you will get there?

Following the 2024 opening, Rennaï will introduce its holistic approach to beauty and wellness services with nine additional locations across North America by 2028, including major cities across the United States. Beyond our locations, we have set the bar high for our digital experience and are working with innovative partners who have community and wellbeing at their core.

10.

Today more than ever, personal experiences are everything. What experience are you hoping your customers will post or tweet most about?

We hope that the Rennaï customer will be naturally inclined to share their experiences – whether that’s in North America, indulging in a first-of its-kind cosmetic treatment or simply the impact of being in one space that meets all their beauty and wellness needs in a stunning, sustainable, and inspiring setting.

The I RECOMMEND awards have arrived.

Every year we ask our readers and beauty advisor experts to vote on their recommended products. Their choices are complete with the reasons why they are their faves as well as why customers love to buy and use these products. From skin care, makeup, fragrance to hair, the I RECOMMEND products are not judged but rather selected from the hundreds of entries sent in by the beauty advisor community.

WINNERS should be so proud and honoured to have been selected for this prestige award as it comes from the field and from the feedback that the Beauty Advisor community receives from their customers.

We strongly encourage and recommend that you highlight this win by using the I RECOMMEND logo/badge on your website, in social media and any product marketing.

This year some of our winners include Nivea, Biotherm, Lise Watier and LancÔme, just to name a few. So take a look at the following pages for all of the winners across all of the categories.

Congratulations to all of the winners of this year’s I Recommend Beauty Awards!

— Frank Turco