Chanel bosses stopped bottles of perfume being sold from an Aberdeen shop due to the state of Union Street.
It’s been claimed the luxury French brand axed its account with Michies Pharmacy because the quality of the surrounding businesses wasn’t up to their usual standards.
Public relations manager and grand-daughter of founder Charles, Rosemary Michie, said it was a “significant blow” when the “major account” was closed.
The businesswoman is now speaking out as debate continues to rage on the decline of Aberdeen city centre.
Chanel revelation comes as future of Union Street is at stake
It comes after Jamieson and Carry launched unsuccessful efforts to prevent a take-away opening next door further down Union Street.
The jeweller argued it would bring down the area at a time when it’s ploughing £1 million into a pair of neighbouring vacant units.
While some accused the Aberdeen institution of “snobbery”, others backed the stance amid concerns about a saturation of fast food outlets.
Rosemary shared her own experience to highlight the struggles local traders are facing.
In a Linkedin post, she said the firm “supports Jamieson and Carry on this one”.
‘It was a major account for us…’
She added: “We have personal experience with this type of issue.
“Chanel Fragrances closed our account at Michies Pharmacy years ago, citing one of the reasons as being that the category of surrounding businesses didn’t meet their brand criteria.
“It was a major account for us, and a significant blow to our retail offering.”
Though the take-away proposal has now been rubber-stamped, Rosemary is hopeful the council takes her message on board in deciding future applications.
Does Michies Chanel claim back up other concerns over luxury products being pulled from Union Street?
Michies dates back to 1921 and its main branch is the three-storey building at the top of the Granite Mile.
The claims about Chanel could reinforce concerns raised by Jamieson and Carry about the take-away opening next door.
Bosses voiced fears that luxury Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer would axe an agreement with the Aberdeen firm if its products were being sold next to the fast food business.
They said “brand representatives” often inspect surrounding areas to ensure they “are commensurate with the high standards associated with the watches themselves”.
The revelation comes as the Our Union Street campaign picks up steam, with a staggering list of 4,200 ideas to enhance the area unveiled this week.
Why would Chanel oppose sales on Union Street?
Chanel has always had an exclusive approach to marketing…
The upmarket firm was founded by fashion designer and socialite Coco Chanel in Paris in the early 1900s.
Do you think Chanel was right to stop perfume being sold on Union Street? Let us know in our comments section below
Part of their recipe for success has been “scarcity marketing”.
Chief executive Alain Wertheimer pioneered the approach by removing its perfume from 6,000 stores in the 1960s.
Making it hard to get made a “luxury brand”.
In 2020, Chanel bought its flagship London store on Bond Street for £310 million and its other locations include Avenue Montaigne in Paris and New York’s 57th Street.
Around the same time, despite Covid taking its toll, bosses refused to compromise by selling its products online.
Chanel was contacted for comment on its Union Street stance.
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