Will tech enhance or cannibalise the retail industry?
According to Guive Balooch, VP and Head of L’Oréal’s Global Tech Incubator, we should feel excited, not apprehensive, about future technology developments.
“Technology is going to upgrade products and services at home and in retail,” he told esprit in an exclusive interview.
“In terms of retail, our professionals will have an augmented way of providing services to our consumer through technology.
“We believe technology will enable our retailers to differentiate themselves even more to deliver the highest level of service possible, to every person.”
Guive, who has an extensive background in bioengineering and biomedical engineering, and leads a global team in San Francisco, New York, Paris, and Singapore, was in town at L’Oréal Australia’s Beauty Tech event in Sydney.
The scope of Guive’s tech group includes personalisation, flexible electronics, augmented reality, smart objects, and 3D bioprinting.
At the event, Guive launched his two latest pieces of tech – Skinceuticals Custom Dose, a bespoke take-home serum, and La Roche-Posay My Skin Track UV, the first battery-free wearable electronic sensor and companion app to measure personal exposure to UV, pollution, humidity and pollen.
“Tech and beauty make a perfect match because every beauty consumer has specific needs and desires, and to reach all of them around the word technology can power that through personalisation, inclusivity and precision,” Guive told esprit.
Also in attendance at the Sydney event was Chief Marketing Officer Matthijs Van Der Putten, Head of eCommerce Pure Players Caroline Jee and Project Manager, Technology Incubator, Fred Orsita.
Following the Sydney event, Guive flew down to Melbourne, where L’Oréal Australia held its first beauty tech experience, Beauty For All.
The Beauty For All event consisted of immersive experiences, a thought leadership master class from Guive, sustainable food and beverage, interactive technology moments and much more.
Look out for our full wrap of Beauty For All in the January issue of esprit.