Hong Kong (24 January 2008)

2008 marks Nuance-Watson Hong Kong's ("Nuance-Watson HK's) 10 th anniversary. The first of the many firsts the company has planned to celebrate this momentous year is the grand opening of Giorgio Armani Beauty Boutique at Hong Kong International Airport ("HKIA") Terminal 1 East Hall. Jointly operated with Scental, L'Oreal Luxury Products Division, the new 30 sq. m. stand-alone boutique is Armani's first ever travel retail outlet worldwide.

The highlight of the Jan 24, 2008 grand opening of the new Armani travel retail flagship beauty boutique was an inspiring make-up catwalk show. Like the boutique itself, the event was a first for any airport in the world. The new store was officially opened by Ms. Alessandra Piovesana, Regional Managing Director of Nuance-Watson (HK) and Mr. Remi Chadapaux, General Manager of Scental (L'Oreal Luxury Product Division). Other prominent guests at the opening were Mr. Hans Bakker, Commercial Director of Hong Kong Airport Authority, Ms. Eva Tsang, General Manager of Retail & Advertising Business of Hong Kong Airport Authority and Ms. Vera Breuer, Division Manager of Scental. Also gracing the launch event were Ms. Tammy Kan, Managing Director of Giorgio Armani Fashion and Ms. Suzanne Chu, Retail Director of Giorgio Armani Fashion.

Key participants in the pioneering catwalk show included local celebrity models all of whom showed off in stunning Armani make-up of the latest look. Attendees at the event heartily applauded the seamlessly eye-catching way Armani's brand value of "understated elegance" was able to evolve from fashion to beauty.

Said Ms. Piovesana, "The new Armani opening once again underlines Nuance Watson HK's commitment to bringing world-class brands and innovative retail concepts to travelers at HKIA. Today's premiere of the new flagship boutique would simply not have been possible were it not for the dynamic partnership between Armani, the Airport Authority, the operator and more importantly, our customers. Nuance-Watson HK takes genuine pride in the fact that the new initiative was the direct result of a consumer research study commissioned in 2006. The survey is still further evidence of our desire to launch pioneering new brand concepts by leveraging our unrivalled understanding of travelers' brand preferences for perfumes and cosmetics. Ultimately, the validation of the Armani beauty concept perfectly reflects our constant quest to understand and anticipate our customers' desires and aspirations, and provide the exceptional satisfaction levels they demand and deserve."

According to Mr. Remi Chadapaux, "The opening of Giorgio Armani Beauty in Hong Kong International Airport is another landmark development for L'Oreal Luxury products Division Travel Retail Division and Nuance Watson (HK) at HKIA in cooperation with JC Decaux HK. This development demonstrates the dedication and the commitment of both companies to enrich the portfolio of brands available in HKIA and to raise the standards of Luxury for the Beauty Category and cater for the needs of the HKIA travelers."

At the grand opening, Mr. Hans Bakker also exemplified in his speech that the Airport Authority has been dedicated to provide the finest airport retail experience with a well selected mix of retail brands and the Giorgio Armani cosmetics shop is a happy marriage of the two. The opening of this first Giorgio Armani travel retail shop at Hong Kong International Airport further strengthens the airport as not only the best airport, but also the best business platform for international brands to showcase their brands and products to the world.

Nuance-Watson HK's management gave a unanimous vote of confidence in the Giorgio Armani brand's outstanding awareness and value in Asia. Research demonstrates the brand is perceived as being "extremely luxurious" by the Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese customers, who represent more than one-third of all travelers passing through HKIA. The launch of the new beauty boutique also perfectly mirrors Nuance-Watson HK's strategy of expanding its premium beauty offer following last year's successful launch of Asia’s first ever La Prairie beauty center.

The new L-shaped boutique enjoys a highly visible location and opens out onto a wide frontage facing the airport's main aisle. Such prominence ensures the brand will enjoy unique opportunity to maximize its full potential in the premium beauty segment at HKIA. Perfectly encapsulating the "understated elegance" for which Armani has long been renowned, the new beauty boutique showcases a dynamic palette of colors and stunning visuals against the brand's signature luminescent black background.

The boutique effortlessly blends the luxury of Giorgio Armani cosmetics and fragrances with exciting new design elements. They include an intriguing, fashion catwalk-inspired "Beauty Walk" which treats passengers to an enriching virtual experience as they tour Armani's fashion beauty world. This inviting walkway leads all the way from the front of the boutique to a gigantic 2m x 1m video wall broadcasting the latest Armani fashion show and new product demonstration in the store's rear.

Prior to entering the "Beauty Walk", customers are "greeted" by two tower showcases featuring the latest Armani fragrances - an essential element of any total beauty regimen. Immediately adjacent to the video wall are located three full-height wall bays showcasing a dazzling array of color products for the lips, face and eyes. The impact of the three-color walls is further complemented by a "Make-up Work Station" where consumers can have fun while experimenting with different color combinations.

The other side of the boutique is dedicated to Armani's extensive skincare collection. As skincare products are always heavily in demand among Asian customers at Hong Kong International Airport, this section has been built far bigger than those at the brand's downtown outlets. In addition to hugely popular Crema Nera women's skincare products from the volcanic island of Pantelleria, this section will soon house Armani's Men Skincare range.

Further enhancing the already excellent relationship Giorgio Armani has established with its elite clientele, the new flagship beauty boutique looks set to open travel retail to a totally new audience of cosmetics lovers.

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