Christian Mas, CEO of luxury French skincare brand Sothys, discusses the future of the spa industry.

Where do you think the spa market is headed, and why?
The spa market is getting more and more structured. Projects are now more in line with the capacity of the hotels that carry them. Spas are a profitable asset for hotels, but the hotel needs to ensure that its spa facilities are in keeping with its environment. Hotel groups are now considering the spa as a real business unit and giving it a corporate identity. This means that hotels can do global marketing for their visitors, but spas will need to have a global view in terms of their providers.

What challenges do you think the spa industry will face, and how will Sothys meet these challenges?
Spas need to introduce a global offering that will generate revenue and retail sales. In terms of products, there is a defined trend of effective cosmeceutical treatments with a focus on wellbeing. Sothys relies on its network of researchers and international distributors to determine current trends and create products using the best that science and nature have to offer.

What can Sothys offer in terms of partnership?
Sothys aims to provide a unified service to all of its customers. Initially we work with the client to design a bespoke treatment menu that’s targeted specifically towards their needs. Once this has been achieved, we continue to offer support to the client throughout the process.

We propose brand training every year, particularly for reception staff, so they are able to sell treatments to guests from arrival. Ideally we want staff to have tried the treatments so they have a deeper understanding of what they are selling. We also propose various POS and display options in order to create further retail opportunities.
What makes Sothys stand out in a competitive market?

Besides our techniques and products, what makes Sothys stand out is that it’s family-owned and operated. For us, each new project is unique, and the solution we deliver is designed to reflect that.