Spa Ceylon takes local luxury lifestyle brand to international market

Friday, 9 August 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Spa Ceylon, the local luxury lifestyle brand with a truly Ceylonese identity, is set to take the international market by storm as it expands its product and service offerings to seven countries this year, with over 16 outlets planned to be opened in the next 12 months. The international expansion will cover Russia, Turkey, UAE (Dubai), India, South Africa, Japan and the Maldives in 2013, while operations in Singapore and Malaysia will commence in early 2014.

The company has plans to launch over 20 outlets before the end of the year, operating single brand retail outlets under their own brand name. The Spa Ceylon brand was launched in May 2009 and the first spa was opened in March 2010. Locally, Spa Ceylon will be expanding to five more locations from its current 14 outlets by December 2013. The five new spas and boutiques will be located in key tourist hubs. The launch of this luxury brand into the international market will cover not only distribution but shop in shop business. With this foray into the international market, Spa Ceylon is poised to stand head to head with other renowned global brands. Spa Ceylon offers more than just spa treatment as it is a luxury lifestyle brand with a Ceylonese identity. This range of products is a fusion of Ayurveda ingredients and modern technology presented in classic contemporary Sri Lankan designed packaging which embodies the romance of old Ceylon with contemporary Sri Lanka.

Founded in May 2009 by brothers Shiwantha Dias and Shalin Balasuriya, the company has seen an increase in profits year-on-year since its launch and a vast increase in sales per square foot. The company expects a further growth of 500% in the next year. The business focuses on two segments – products and services. The products cover a range of Ayurveda products and home aroma or lifestyle products, while the services cover luxury Ayurveda wellness treatments. Manufactured in a state-of-the-art ultramodern processing facility of over 75,000 square feet in the south of Sri Lanka, the factory conforms to European Union and Good Manufacturing Practice Standards and staffs over 300 people. Recent launches include the White range and Spa by Spa Ceylon, which filled a vacuum in the skin care category. Spa Ceylon products boast over 100 SKUs in personal care, 100 SKUs in home aroma products and 100 separate gift packs and assortments.

From a local retail point of view, Spa Ceylon operates a chain of retail stores as well as shops at major department stores. In total, Spa Ceylon is currently available at 14 locations and supplies corporate gifts and hotel amenities to some of the leading hotel chains in Sri Lanka, with their products being used at Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, Paradise Road Hotels, Avani Resorts and Spas, Uga Resorts and boutique hotels such as Tintagel, Casa Colombo and Park Street Hotel. Spa Ceylon products are also available inflight on Sri Lankan Airlines.