Speaking recently to Butter Boom blog, Lush’s Asia director for the brand in Hong Kong, Annabelle Baker, outlined the recent growth the company has been enjoying since ending its decade-long partnership in 2012.
“Today we have 10 stores including the 7,000 sq ft store and SPA in Central (the second largest location in the world),” she said of the brand’s presence in Hong Kong.
Blooming globally
Speaking last year at Bouley Botanical in New York City, Lush’s North America President & CEO Mark Wolverton outlined the recent global growth thee brand has been enjoying.
By the end of 2016, Lush is expected to generate global brand sales of $1 billion - a significant amount compared to just two years ago, when it brought in $720 million. Online sales, which are rocketing for the brand, are a major part of this.
“Our sales have more than doubled over the past five years,” COO Andy McNevin said, explaining that Lush has ambitious global growth plans.
“To put these numbers into context, we believe the overall cosmetics market is a $225 billion industry worldwide. So at $1 billion, we’re just scratching the surface and have so much more room to grow.”
Lush in Asia Pacific
Speaking specifically about the brand’s presence in Asia, Baker explained that since leaving their partnership in 2012, Lush is enjoying much greater growth potential in Hong Kong, which they intend to now build upon.
“Up until we took back the business, Lush was quite different to our presence globally. The typical store here was not more than 400 sq ft and the whole range wasn’t stocked here. So, we made significant changes by opening the first store at 1,000 sq ft,” she confirmed to Butter Boom.
Australia is one other key Asia Pacific country in which Lush is enjoys a growing brand presence.
Indeed, last year the brand whipped up a social media storm with its ‘Go Naked’ marketing campaign.