Hong Kong – In an age of e-commerce and convenience, the cosmetics retailer and pharmacy is focused on discovery.
Online brand Harmay first entered the bricks-and-mortar market with a store in Shanghai in 2017. Its second branch in Hong Kong is inspired by old-school chemists and focuses on experience, with visitors invited to browse unmarked stainless steel drawers in order to discover the hidden products inside.
Designed by AIM Architecture, the apothecary aims to re-introduce a sense of serendipity to the shopping experience. On the store’s second floor the walls have been left as exposed brickwork and the stock is largely hidden from view in stainless steel mirrored cabinets suspended from the ceiling, immersing visitors in the tactile experience of physical shopping without being overwhelmed by products.
As more retailers embrace the notion of Inspiration per Square Foot, healthcare brands are injecting a sense of playfulness into the traditionally clinical pharmacy experience.