The Nuance Group is the first Canadian retailer to offer luxury Japanese skincare brand SK-II, recently introduced to Nuance's store location in Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Located in Terminal 1, SK-II is the latest beauty shop for Nuance, following its Jo Malone, Aveda and MAC Cosmetics boutiques, also located in Terminal 1.

The founding of SK-II is an interesting story. Over 30 years ago, it was observed that workers in a Japanese sake brewery had elderly faces but smooth, youthful hands. SK-II scientists spent five years studying more than 350 yeast strains to discover why, eventually discovering a nutrient-rich liquid which they named Pitera: now the 'secret key component' within SK-II’s products.

The new Jo Malone boutique in Toronto - currently the only free-standing Canadian boutique for the brand.

Owned by Procter & Gamble, SK-II is available in 15 countries including Japan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, the UK, the USA, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and now, Canada.

Last month, Nuance opened Jo Malone, Aveda and MAC shops at Pearson Airport's Terminal 1. British-based Jo Malone stands out, being the only free-standing Canadian location for the brand. Jo Malone is also available at Holt Renfrew stores in Canada, and will likely be available at Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue when both open Canadian locations.

Nuance operates duty-free concessions out of eight airports in the United States and Canada, including those of Toronto, Calgary, Chicago, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas and Orlando. This week, Switzerland-based duty free retailer Dufry AG bought Nuance for US $1.7 billion.

Source: Moodie Report/Nuance Group, via ACT7 of Urban Toronto.

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CANADIAN RETAIL NEWS: Friday, June 6, 2014 (Updated Continuously)