Hong Kong luxury department store Lane Crawford has opened the doors of its largest flagship in Shanghai.
Located at Times Square on Huai Hai Zhong Rd, the new store encompasses some 14,000 sqm over four floors, with 500 international brands across women’s fashion, beauty and fine jewellery, menswear and home and lifestyle.
The store cost Lane Crawford 400 million yuan ($65.4 million) to build.
“Lane Crawford is invested in creating the future of global retail, in the market of the future,” said president Andrew Keith.
“Global retail leadership is now coming from China, and the China customer is at the forefront of fashion. We set out to create the ultimate luxury fashion and lifestyle destination – the largest selection of luxury brands in an innovative, highly visual space, offering world-class service at a scale never before seen in Shanghai,” he said.
The Shanghai store was designed in collaboration with international architecture firm Yabu Pushelberg, who have worked with Lane Crawford on four previous stores. The store’s design has what the company describes as “a modern gallery approach” to retail.
Keith said the collection of products was selected by a buying team of 85 experts based on a deep understanding of their Chinese customers and close relationships they have with brand partners globally.
Featured brands range from international designers including Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Lanvin, Saint Laurent Paris to new generation designers including Alexander Wang and Sacai, and contemporary collections including Alice & Olivia and the introduction of J.Crew in China.
“When we opened our first store in Beijing in 2007, we introduced more than 300 new international brands to China for the first time. In Shanghai, we’re building on that portfolio with greater depth, and driving innovation through an elevated service proposition that includes specialist personalised services not seen before in this market,” Keith said.
Approximately 1800 sqm of the store has been dedicated to personalised services in beauty, fashion and lifestyle conducted in luxurious, private styling areas for a unique, tailor-made experience for customers and delivered by 65 stylists and concierge staff.
As part of Lane Crawford’s connected commerce strategy, the Shanghai flagship store and Lane Crawford’s online store are connected to provide a seamless shopping experience both in store and at home. Customers can order online and collect or return their orders at a special Online Shopping Concierge in the store, another first in the market.
Approximately 278 sqm is designated for creative displays. A space called The Hub aims to support emerging creative talent in fashion, art and design, by showcasing their work in the heart of the store.
Lane Crawford entered China in 1872 when it opened on Nanjing Rd. The department store now has eight stores in Greater China.
