Fortnum & Mason Revamps Beauty Floor

LONDON — Storied London department store Fortnum & Mason unveiled its new beauty hall this week, a tranquil, 7,000-square-foot space designed by London firm Waldo Works as a modern take on a Georgian ladies’ salon. The 307-year-old store’s management has been developing the space for the past two years, with two million pounds, or $3.4 million, devoted to its revamp. The investment in the store follows the appointment of chief executive officer Ewan Venters in 2012. Under Venters — who was previously director of food and restaurants at Selfridges — Fortnum & Mason’s pre-tax profits more than doubled in the year to July 2014 to 3.8 million pounds, or $6.2 million, with sales up 14 percent to 74.4 million pounds, or $122 million. Dollar figures have been converted at average exchange rates for the period. Venters has also opened offshoots of the Piccadilly department store — which is known for its luxury food hall – in London’s St. Pancras station, Heathrow’s Terminal Five and in Dubai. Jo Newton, head of buying for fashion, beauty and home for Fortnum & Mason, said the beauty floor’s relaunch grew out of the success of the store’s fragrance business, with the niche, high-end brands that the store

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