French beauty heavyweight Clarins has opened its first overseas laboratory in Shanghai in an effort to better understand its customers.
Located in the Jing’an District, the lab occupies more than 500sqm and will house advanced devices and technology to test the effects of Clarins’ products on Chinese consumers.
Its research direction will primarily focus on in vitro, sensory and clinical experiments.
Meanwhile, equipment has been introduced from the US and Europe in order to carry out clinical trials, such as skin physiology.
“The China market has always been the strategic focus of Clarins,” said the group’s CEO Jonathan Zrihen.
“Two years ago China became the largest market for Clarins. We are very grateful to Chinese consumers who appreciate our innovative products.
“With all the support and love for Chinese consumers, we believe that the establishment of Clarins China Lab in Shanghai will have a significant impact to develop future products, to understand better consumers expectations and to solidify our position in the China market, which is the biggest skin care market in the world.”
Clarins’ Managing Director, Olivier Courtin-Clarins, also said he hopes to explore traditional Chinese medicine through R&D.
“In 1999, we visited China for the first time and saw great potential for the China market with our local partners,” he noted.
“The opening of the Clarins China Lab allows the brand to better understand the skin of Asian women with cutting-edge technology.
“We hope that this laboratory can not only provide ideas on new products for the Asian market, but also bring innovation to markets in other regions of the world.”