In an era where luxury cosmetics are facing stiff competition from mid-price and drugstore products in delivering desired results, there may be some concern from consumers about the state of high-end department stores as retail outlets for upscale cosmetics.
The fact remains, however, that luxury brands still dominate the cosmetics market. According to iMarc, the Asia-Pacific luxury beauty market in 2024 was worth USD 54.9 billion, with skincare dominating 37.8% of that particular market. Yet experts say that consumers are more likely to purchase beauty products for proven results rather than the promise of luxury.
So how do high-end department stores cope in a market where consumers are turning to chain stores for beauty products? The answer lies in the pivot of certain stores toward hard-to-find cult products that are luxuries in themselves. Here are a few high-end department stores that are transforming the luxury shopping experience for beauty.
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5 of The Best Asian Department Stores for Luxury Cosmetics
Even with luxury cosmetics turning up on the shelves of Asian chains like Sasa, Watsons, and Olive Young—not to mention global brands like Sephora—department stores still offer a more luxurious experience of shopping for high-end cosmetics. The combination of known brands and cult favorites in these stores also add to the convenience of shopping.
1. Mitsukoshi Ginza, Tokyo
Photo: Mitsukoshi Ginza – Visit Tokyo
Located at the first basement level of one of the most iconic Japanese department stores, the cosmetics department at Mitsukoshi Ginza is a treasure trove of international and Japanese brands. Here, major brands like Shu Uemura, Nars, and Lancome stand kiosk-to-kiosk with rising stars in the cosmetics world like Suqqu and IPSA.
The major draw is not just the brands themselves, but also the wide selection of products that are hard to find or out of stock in other retail outlets. If you’re looking for rare skincare or makeup shades, Mitsukoshi Ginza is a must-visit.
2. Lotte Myeongdong, Seoul
The entire Lotte complex in Myeongdong is home to several of the mega-conglomerate’s shopping centers, including Lotte’s own high-end duty-free outlet. The main Lotte department store, however, is worth mentioning for its eclectic mix of luxury and high street brands, both local and international.
Although there are cosmetics brands on the first floor, most of the notable counters are located on the first basement, and carries brands like Biotherm, Hourglass, Cle de Peau and Shiseido. There’s also a dedicated space for luxury K-beauty brands like Sulwhasoo, Belif, and the Amore Pacific family of brands, which adds to the convenience factor.
3. Paragon Department Store, Bangkok
Photo: Siam Paragon Department Store – Storeinteriors
The Siam Paragon shopping center is a luxury haven in itself, where many designer houses with their own beauty brands have stand-alone boutiques. That doesn’t mean, however, that the center’s own department store is any less luxurious when it comes to the brand range and shopping experience.
Among the cosmetics and skincare brands at Paragon are Kanebo, Giorgio Armani, Jung Saem Mool, and Charlotte Tilbury, plus trendy brands like Drunk Elephant and BeneFit. Paragon also has a selection of designer fragrances as well as offerings from niche perfume houses such as Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Clive Christian, and Parfums de Marly.
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4. Takashimaya, Singapore
The first floor of Takashimaya’s department store on Orchard Road is dominated by the cosmetics section, where top names in cosmetics, skincare, body care, and fragrances can be found. The store has an impressive range of cosmetics brands, from Augustinus Bader skincare to makeup and fragrance from Tom Ford and YSL Beaute.
And it’s not just the usual lineup of designer and high-street luxury brands either; among the products carried by Takashimaya are Foreo microcurrent facelift devices and Hakuhodo makeup brushes. Rare fragrance brands such as Fresh and Glasshouse can be found at the store as well.
5. Parkson Department Store, Shanghai
Photo: Parkson Department Store – Retail News Asia
While Shanghai’s beauty scene is often filled with stand-alone boutiques and chain stores, Parkson is one of the few retail outlets that provide one-stop shopping for the most notable high-end brands in the city. Many of the store’s beauty brands are still within the high-end range, often imported from outside China.
One of the product lines that you will find in Parkson is Chanel’s entire Asia-exclusive Le Blanc line of cosmetics, designed for clients who want to maintain porcelain skin. There is also a MAC counter and a vending machine for select Lancome products. Asian brands like IOPE and SK-II make an appearance here as well.
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Why Department-Store Beauty Counters Still Matter
Even with the continued presence of department stores in the retail space, the target market for luxury cosmetics has started to shift toward convenient online platforms. Partnerships between luxury brands and online shopping giants are shaping the way that customers are buying luxury goods, and that extends to the purchase of cosmetics as well.
Still, many customers prefer trying and buying products in person to online shopping. The act of trying on products such as lipstick and perfume is an integral part of the face-to-face shopping experience, if only to make sure that every hue or scent note is compatible to an individual’s body chemistry.
The fact that many of Asia’s department stores are devoting floor space to hard-to-find luxury brands and products speaks to the shifting definitions of luxury in the 21st century. Instead of basing luxury on brand reputation, the focus is now on results-driven products made with premium materials that can’t be found anywhere else.
Combined with personalized service from staff at premium department stores, the in-person shopping experience for cosmetics becomes a luxury that’s hard to replicate for other high street retailers.
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Reviving The Department Store Shopping Experience
As many Asian department stores continue to re-establish their relevance in the luxury retail market, the act of buying cosmetics in person is still worth pursuing for many customers, especially those for whom price is no objection. Seeing how a product performs before purchasing can be a luxurious experience in itself, even if it saves time and money.
The next time you find yourself in a major Asian city, make a point to stop by the local high-end department store and check out the cosmetics offerings at hand. Indulge in the experience of exploring and purchasing different products, and you will see how much it differs from the simple act of “adding to cart.”
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Featured Image by Takashimaya Shopping Centre
