Independent UK beauty retailer Seekology has responded to the coronavirus lockdown with a new online consultation service.
On 23 March all retailers, even beauty stores, were ordered to shutter until the rate of infection was reduced.
Stores have since reopened for business, but many beauty brands have shifted their services online in order to retain consumer engagement while the pandemic is still ongoing.
The video sessions will be hosted by skin care expert Amelia Manning, formerly from Harrods, Sisley and Dermalogica, and will last for 30 minutes.
Throughout the conversation she will talk through consumers’ skin care needs and requirements, in line with their budgets.
“At Seekology, we pride ourselves on our friendly and impartial advice across an extensive range of independent brands,” said Seekology’s founder Rebecca Saunders.
“I am delighted to be able to replicate online the fantastic, impartial service we use to offer in our Richmond store.
“We are seeing significant interest in the Seekology skin care offering since lockdown began and we know that it’s extremely important to our customers to discuss their needs with an expert before making a decision.”
The retailer currently stocks products from Rabot 1745, Tamaar, Evolve Beauty and Herbal Essentials.
Manning added: “Having been a passionate leader of Seekology’s store team, I am excited to be able to reconnect with Seekology’s customers and to help them find individual skin care solutions from the comfort of and safety of their own homes.”
Seekology welcomed customers to its London store for the first time in January this year.
Saunders, a former beauty buyer at John Lewis, said she wanted to give fledgling beauty brands a chance to be seen in bricks-and-mortar.
Speaking to Cosmetics Business at the time, she said: “I'm a big believer in the role of physical retail, particularly in beauty, where customers often want to touch, try and smell the products before making a purchasing decision.
“There are numerous innovative smaller brands springing up catering to particular customer needs, and I created Seekology to provide a showcase for their inspirational stories.”
