Asia is renowned for its beauty and its use of innovative technology in retail stores.

Many of the brands featured this month do incorporate technology within their stores, but they are also keen to demonstrate their heritage.

Fashion and beauty stores are also following the gallery trend in retail, where pieces are displayed as if they are part of a museum or art exhibition.

This month, we’ve found a futuristic beauty planet, an AI creating ice cream flavours and a bright pink store.

Take a look at all the best in retail in Asia this month.

Baskin-Robbins, Seoul

A new flagship store from ice-cream brand Baskin-Robbins has opened in Cheongdam.

The new space aims to offer more AI services to customers as well as access to exclusive new flavours, including Cheongdam menus Pocket Monaka and Mochi Live.

Customers will be able to try a selection of new ranges from the brand, including its new low sugar collection, with flavours such as Mint Chocolate Chip and Almond Bon Bon. Alongside this, Baskin-Robbins is also introducing a premium range such as Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies and Chocolate Fudge Brownie.

At the Flavor ID station, visitors will be able to get personalised AI recommendations for different ice cream products. They can also try some AI designed ice-cream flavours at the Dessert Terrace area. These flavours include special Korean flavours, such as Omija Orange Sorbet, and customers will be able to watch the ice-cream being prepared.

Image credit – Jiyongkim

Jiyongkim, Seoul

Unique menswear designer Jiyongkim has launched his first flagship store in Korea.

While the space is in a location known for luxury stores and culture, the store occupies a previous residential space nestled behind an embassy, so customers are able to browse peacefully.

The store was designed by local architects One-Aftr to resemble an art gallery and incorporates traditional architectural elements, such as a wooden beam from a hanok house. The space is minimalist and white, with light wooden display shelves and stools, and a folding screen demonstrating Jiyongkim’s sun-bleaching techniques.

Customers are able to browse a selection of Jiyongkim’s bespoke items, including a new shoe collaboration with Clarks, and can also look at other items in the collection in a physical catalogue. The designer hopes that the space will also be able to function as a way of exhibiting new collections, as well as a place to showcase other brands.

Image credit – Rom&nd

Rom&nd Pink Office, Seoul

Seoul also saw a new flagship store from Korean beauty brand Rom&nd.

The store, called Pink Office, is the brand’s first physical store in nine years and is true to its name with a bright pink exterior. The space allows customers to browse the brand’s extensive collection of colours, popular ranges like Juicy Lasting Tint, and also 13 new Seongsu Juicy shades, exclusive to the Seoul location.

Visitors can try out colour analysis to find their personal shades as well as customise colours through colour mixing services. Additionally, they can visit a Gacha machine for access to keychains and Rom&nd figures to customise their lip products, and take selfies in the photo zone.

Documents, Shanghai

Luxury perfume brand Documents opened its latest flagship store, Long Temple, in Shanghai.

The store is inspired by Chinese traditional aesthetics and juxtaposes these elements with modern design. This includes a long wall of handcrafted amber glass bricks, along with sustainable ceramic flooring.

Customers visiting the store can browse the Document’s collection of fragrances which are displayed resembling a museum. The traditional Chinese elements can again be found at the pay area, where more perfumes are stored similarly to Chinese herbal remedies.

The brand’s products now also include jewellery and other accessories which are displayed with seating, allowing customers to try on items more easily.

Image credit – Dalziel & Pow

Balabala, Suzhou

Another store launch in China this month came from Balabala, a children’s clothing brand.

The store was designed by Dalziel & Pow with a new concept called “growing together”, aimed at an increasing parent market who are interested in quality clothing. The space combines colourful items with fashionable design elements, such as bright seating and display units.

The space also includes a fashion experience area, where children can take part in a catwalk. Customers can browse the full range of Balabala items, which are aimed at children of all ages and for a variety of activities, from swimming to camping.

Image credit – Onitsuka Tiger

Onitsuka Tiger, Tokyo

Footwear brand Onitsuka Tiger launched its new concept store in Omotesando.

Designed by Studio Dini Cataldi, the new space combines Japanese tradition with contemporary elements. The exterior of the store is in the brand colour of yellow. Inside, the ceiling and fixtures evoke bamboo blinds and sliding doors, juxtaposed with clear yellow fixtures, mirrors and gloss floors.

The store contains four floors to showcase the range of Onitsuka Tiger products, including DENIVITA Made in Japan denim and the collection presented at Milan Fashion Week. The top floor includes a collection inspired by retro Onitsuka Tiger items but updated with a contemporary finish.

Fenty Beauty, Shenzhen

China saw the arrival of the first Fenty Beauty store, the iconic makeup brand created by Rihanna.

The brand is building on its market started in 2024, when products were first stocked in the Sephora stores. The new space was launched in MXTR Park with a space and cyberpunk concept, with metallic sculptures and installations. These include a silver planet, dogs that resemble Boston Robots, and mechanical arms.

The store contains a number of themed areas, including a rock wall, where customers can find their perfect shade of foundation from 50 shades. 

A space containing hexagonal images and liquid metal-looking wall decor has mirrors and beauty tables for customers to try on products. A hand sculpture appears from the ceiling, as if transported through a black hole, to display a Fenty Beauty lip product. A virtual portal allows shoppers to create personalised “visiting human” ID cards and watch videos about the Fenty planet. 

Finally, customers can shake hands with a robot and receive a blind box.