NARS Stores

As I have mentioned in one of my previous posts, NARS Cosmetics prefer focusing their sales on certain countries that they think have the most potential in sales, rather than expanding word wide. With a couple of free standing stores in countries such as US, Malaysia, their counters can be found in different department stores. Shiseido, the company that owns NARS, has a base in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and seeing a lot potential in sales they opened their freestanding store there which is very successful. In the UK the counters are located in John Lewis, Selfridges, Space NK and Harvey Nichols; Sephora, Macy's, Barney's NY, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom in US (48 countries + District of Columbia); Hold Renfrew, Sephora and The Bay in Canada and in Australia they are located in Mecca Cosmetica and Mecca Maxima. They are slowly expanding throughout Europe, but only in certain countries such as Italy, France, Spain, etc.

All stores and counters resemble the simple, yet elegant and sleek product packaging. The shelves are matte black and the rest is white. The concept of the entire store was designed by Francois Nars and Fabien Baron - the designer of the product packaging.
There is a lot if light and the brand logo is placed on many different places as you can see in the images below. Also, they are quite spacious considering the amount of products that they offer. Images or looks created by the brand (mostly adverts) are all over the stores/ counter areas that the customers could use for inspiration and incorporate the idea of the look with their personal style.  
Also the staff that works there are all professional make up artists, are professionally trained by Nars himself.

NARS Counter in Nordstrom in Ottawa, Kanada

(source: http://mstindustries.com/portfolio/nars-at-nordstrom-ottawa/

Accessed: Feb 7 2016)

Nars freestanding store

West Village, NYC

Yelp - NARS

Image posted by: Lucy T.

Dec 15 2015

(source: http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz_photos/nars-new-york-3?select=sERwyNZ9WLp5DbVeeNDz0A

Accessed: Feb 7 2016)

Nars freestanding store

West Village, NYC

Yelp - NARS

Image posted by: Lucy T.

Dec 15 2015

(source: http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz_photos/nars-new-york-3?select=sERwyNZ9WLp5DbVeeNDz0A

Accessed: Feb 7 2016)

Nars freestanding store

West Village, NYC

Yelp - NARS

Image posted by: Allison C.

Feb 24 2011

(source: http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz_photos/nars-new-york-3?select=sERwyNZ9WLp5DbVeeNDz0A

Accessed: Feb 7 2016)

The store that really stood out is the one located in Las Vegas, located at Caesars Palace follows the luxurious, sharp and clean looking interior design of their other stores with white and black furniture and full length mirrors. The sales counter is in red - the shade of NARS Jungle Red lipstick. It is full of light and six permanent stations as well as two stations in the VIP area. There are three 'areas' within the store; the sales area, make up stations and the VIP area which includes a bookcase with the books that Francois had published, make up stations and a waiting area with sofas and a coffee table. In the sales area you can find product collections and digital touch screens containing useful information about the brand and their signature looks as well as some tips and tricks. The thing that makes the store different from others is their "Spin to win" digital slot machine. Customers can spin it and win a full size product.

There is also a 11x6 feet TV screen that short films created by Francois and the mix of music playing in the store is by Les Jumeaux - French DJ's. 

Nars Freestanding Store in Las Vegas, Nevada, US (3500 South Las Vegas Blvd.)

Article: New NARS Location – Las Vegas

(source: http://www.glossmenagerie.com/new-nars-location-las-vegas/

Accessed: Feb 17 2016)

VIP Make up stations at NARS Freestanding store in Las Vegas 
 Blogger post:  NARS: Opens it's Sixth Free Standing Boutique at Caesars, Las Vegas
Gordon L. N. 
June 2014
 (source http://beautyisouraddiction.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/nars-opens-its-sixth-free-standing.html 
Accessed: Feb 7 2016)

Store in Soho New York

NARS Freestanding store in Soho, NYC

124 Prince Street, New York City, NY 10012

Article: NARS Opens Free-Standing Boutique in Soho, New York

Posted by: Theresa Yee

Nov 26 2013

(source: http://www.wgsn.com/blogs/nars-opens-free-standing-boutique-in-soho-new-york/

Accessed: Feb 7 2016)

Products are also avalible on the brands website - http://narscosmetics.co.uk/ and some department stores offer the products on their websites, such as House of Fraser, Space NK, as well as online stores such as FeelUnique.com. Of course, NARS products could be found on Amazon and Ebay. 
Anon. (Sep 2014) NARS talks business and artristry on 20th birthday http://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/technical/article_page/NARS_talks_business_and_artistry_on_20th_birthday/101352 (Accessed: Feb 7 2016)
Anon. (no date) New NARS Location - Las Vegas, the gloss menagerie http://www.glossmenagerie.com/new-nars-location-las-vegas/ (Accessed: Feb 7 2016)
Gordon L. N. (June 2014)  NARS: Opens it's Sixth Free Standing Boutique at Caesars, Las Vegas, Blogger http://beautyisouraddiction.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/nars-opens-its-sixth-free-standing.html (Accessed: Feb 7 2016)