“There is increasing demand for sophisticated luxury products in Macau and Asia,” says actress and businesswoman Margarida Vila-Nova. “There is this niche market for products with history and tradition, with a seal of authenticity and quality”.
Together with her film director husband Ivo Ferreira, Margarida opened Mercearia Portuguesa in Albergue at Santa Casa da Misericórdia, a little over two years ago.
Now, with accumulated experience and recognition in the region with their first shop, the actress and director turned-entrepreneurs have partnered with lawyer Rui Simões and digital marketing director Carlos Machado, to open the Futura Clássica shop in Macau.
The shop is located in Calçada da Rocha, close to the Ruins of St. Paul. It is distinguished in the neighbourhood by it’s art deco style, and inspired by a shop in the Portuguese capital, Paris em Lisboa, with solid wood shelves and furniture, and period chandeliers. The décor attracts the attention and curiosity of passers-by, and the more curious venture inside to peek at the soaps and bath products wrapped in packaging with vintage designs and colours.
The new partnership is now the exclusive distributer in Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore of Claus Porto, a centennial Portuguese brand of luxury bath and beauty products, often said to be the product of choice for famous names in showbiz such as actor Nicolas Cage, media mogul Oprah Winfrey and Madonna. Already represented in Hong Kong and Singapore, the entrepreneurs now intend to take the brand a step further, by consolidating its presence in those markets and conquering Taiwan too.
“We have a trip to Taiwan scheduled and we have already been to Singapore where we attended the Maison&Object Asia fair. It was the first in Asia, and Futura Clássica represented Claus Porto and made contacts for Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. It’s important to be at these fairs for the client to see the product, have an explanation, some brand background, and from there establish partnerships and collaborations”, Margarida explains.
The invitation to open the store came via Claus Porto, drawn “by the experience and all the impact achieved so far with Mercearia Portuguesa, by the niche market we have conquered between Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mainland China and Japan”, says the businesswoman.
Margarida admits this invitation to represent the brand in the region “is a huge challenge and a responsibility”.
“Claus Porto is handing over distribution to a partner they trust and believe have established a close working relationship with the brand, close to its history and close to its philosophy.”
Claus Porto products were already part of the portfolio of “authentic products with a history” at Mercearia Portuguesa.
“We know the market trends and the image of the brand,” says Margarida, “Roses, sea breeze and lilies”, are some of the most popular Claus Porto fragrances in the region, she adds.
The new shop is located in a more central area “much closer to Macau’s tourist circuit, so the expectations are higher”, she continues. “We think it’s crucial to be close to the suggested routes in the guide books because that’s what brings customers to the shop.”
The entrepreneur highlights that “there are also Portuguese customers who shop at Mercearia Portuguesa” and believes “that they will visit Futura Clássica”.
The entrepreneurs also intend to work with the hotels, spas, casinos and large and medium-sized enterprises in Macau.
“There is a tradition and a niche ‘gift’ market and we believe that the brand matches this profile perfectly”, says Margarida.
