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On Tuesday, Amazon opened a 1,500-square-foot, technologically advanced salon in a trendy London neighborhood as it continues to explore beauty and wellness as a new line of business. The announcement is making salon owners globally sit up and take notice, as well as consider new ways technology may be serving professional beauty clients everywhere.

The salon is located in a district known for its shopping and restaurants and which is located close to Amazon’s U.K. headquarters. Initially, the salon is open only to Amazon employees, but eventually members of the public also will be apble to make appointmnts.  

The Amazon Salon will serve as a test market for the online retailer, allowing them emerging technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) for and “point-and-learn” technology. AR will be used to allow customers to experiment by virtually trying on different hair colors before making a commitment. The point-and-learn technology allows customers to point to a product on a display shelf in order to learn more about it through videos and other content that then appears on a display screen. To then order the products, the customers can scan the QR code on the shelf which will take them to an Amazon shopping page for they can add the item to their cart and subsequently check out.

“We have designed this salon for customers to come and experience some of the best technology, hair care products and stylists in the industry,” said John Boumphrey, U.K. country manager at Amazon. “We want this unique venue to bring us one step closer to customers, and it will be a place where we can collaborate with the industry and test new technologies.”

Elena Lavagni, who owns Neville Hair & Beauty in London, and her team will provide services for the Amazon Salon’s customers.

In a statement, Amazon says there are no current plans to open any other Amazon Salons.

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Originally posted on Salon Today

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