We checked out Chennai's first Bath and Body Works store and here's what you can expect

Opened just last Saturday, the store, spread across 1000 sq ft, sports the brand’s signature blue and white checkerboard theme and features a wide range of products on stands and shelves that cover th
Bath and Body Works opens its first store in Chennai
Bath and Body Works opens its first store in Chennai

 THERE IS A huge air balloon modelled after Bath and Body Works’ signature Japanese Cherry Blossom body lotion placed right at the centre of Express Avenue mall. The news of their launch in the city is indeed big news for the brand’s fans here. With four stores in New Delhi and just one in Mumbai, the US-based retailers of fragrant products for the body and home, has chosen Chennai for its first brick and mortar store in all of South India. 

“Chennai is an upcoming city with a great mix of cosmopolitan crowd. We looked at the opportunity to tap this city with two stores —  one in Express Avenue and a second store in VR Mall (launching in mid-July). We have understood Chennai’s weather and are launching the right set of fragrances,” says Tushar Ved, President of Major Brands India Pvt. Ltd, leading franchisee for premium international brands. 

Opened just last Saturday, the store, spread across 1000 sq ft, sports the brand’s signature blue and white checkerboard theme and features a wide range of products on stands and shelves that cover the walls on either side. Inviting the customers to try out the products before committing to a purchase, the store has a sink with samples of hand washes, soaps, scrubs, and lotions kept beside it.

Right in the middle of the store, you will find the brand’s international bestsellers like Japanese Cherry Blossom and A Thousand Wishes. And right behind it, there are the newly launched fragrances such as Rose, AT Rose Vanilla and Mad About You. The product categories in these fragrances include body mists, body lotion, shower gel, body cream as well as body scrubs.

One of the staff members offers to give us a tour of the whole store. While the cabinets on the right side offer all fragrances from fresh to florals to warm ones, the left side showcases an exclusive men’s collection, a unisex aromatherapy collection and a wide range of candles that extends towards the end of the aisle. We move past the familiar signature fragrances to try some of the new ones like Vanilla Sugar — with warm notes of vanilla, jasmine and sandalwood, Hello Beautiful — a floral fragrance with a blend of jasmine, gardenia and magnolia flowers, and Sweet Pea, offering a soft scent of sweet pea and raspberry with vanilla and musky undertones.

For those looking to soothe the senses, relieve stress or get good sleep, the aromatherapy section is sure to be a delight. From recharge lotions, aromatherapy massage oils to scents for energy and sleep, the brand offers something for every mood. The section features over five collections such as Love, Stress Relief, Sleep, Eucalyptus and Lavender. With ingredients like Lavender, Patchouli, Eucalyptus, Spearmint, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Ginger and Tea Tree, this collection is perfect to uplift your mood or relax. The section features essential oils, sugar scrub, shower gel, lotion, walnut scrub, lotion, soap as well.

The men’s collection at the store features four fragrances-Bourbon, Noir, Ocean and Teakwood. The products offered under each category include a 2-in-1 Hair + Body Wash (with vitamin E, aloe vera and shea butter), cologne, exfoliating cleanser, body cream ( aloe butter + cocoa butter) as well as deodorants.

Found a favourite among all fragrances at the store? Then you have an option to enjoy it at every corner of your home. From bath and body products, hand wash, hand sanitiser to candles and room sprays, you get to pick everything in your favourite scent. “This store in Chennai has a concept that has been introduced in India for the first time. It is called a White Barn store and features home fragrances including single wick as well as three-wick candles, concentrated room sprays and wallflower plugs,” shares Tushar. From fruity fragrance such as pineapple, mango and watermelon to strong scents of chocolate and coffee, over 40 varieties of scented candles are available at the store, which also offers candle accessories for your home. Find a collection of tiny bottles of hand cleansing gels in all the key fragrances alongwith colourful and quirky pocketbac holders — another attraction for the customers.

Average price per product `1,200.

— Fathima Ashraf

 @fathimaashraf|
 fathima@newindianexpress.com 

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