Case Studies
Eqqualberry’s Journey to Success in the Canadian Market
When Eqqualberry, a popular K-beauty brand celebrated for its natural, high-quality ingredients, explored entering the Canadian market, it encountered a common challenge for international brands: a lack of access to established distribution networks. Without a local presence, Eqqualberry’s exceptional products were inaccessible to Canadian consumers, leaving a gap in the market for premium K-beauty offerings. Recognizing this opportunity, Glimbora partnered with Eqqualberry to facilitate its entry into the Canadian market, ensuring a smooth transition and successful launch.
Insight: Over 70% of beauty shoppers in Canada prefer brands with transparent ingredient lists, making Eqqualberry’s clean and natural formulas highly appealing.
—
From Zero Presence to Eight Locations
The journey began with strategic placement in H Mart, a well-known retailer for Asian goods in Canada. Glimbora identified eight key locations across Metro Vancouver and Alberta that aligned with Eqqualberry’s target demographic—urban, beauty-conscious shoppers with a preference for quality products. These locations provided high visibility while allowing us to monitor and adapt to local demand.
Among these stores, the Vancouver Downtown and Coquitlam locations stood out for their rapid sales performance. The first order sold out entirely within weeks, driven by strong consumer interest and effective in-store promotions. We ensured that replenishment orders were delivered promptly to maintain stock availability, which was crucial for sustaining momentum and preventing lost sales opportunities.
Interesting fact: The first shipment of Eqqualberry products in Vancouver Downtown sold out within 10 days, with repeat customers accounting for 30% of sales.
—
How Marketing Played a Key Role
Breaking into a new market isn’t just about placing products on shelves; it’s about creating a narrative that consumers connect with. To achieve this, Glimbora collaborated with marketing experts to execute a multi-layered campaign tailored specifically for the Canadian market.
Social Media Campaigns
The first step was to establish Eqqualberry’s digital presence in Canada. Platforms like Instagram were key to this effort, as they allowed us to engage directly with a younger demographic. Posts featuring product benefits, user testimonials, and tutorials on how to incorporate Eqqualberry products into skincare routines generated buzz and created a sense of familiarity with the brand.
In-store Promotions
Within H Mart locations, Glimbora implemented customized in-store displays designed to catch the eye of passing shoppers. These displays highlighted Eqqualberry’s unique selling points, such as its natural ingredients and Korean skincare heritage, while offering promotional pricing to encourage trial purchases. Shoppers were also able to participate in product demonstrations, which proved highly effective in driving initial interest.
Localized Digital Advertising
Understanding the diverse cultural makeup of Canada, we crafted digital advertisements that resonated with various consumer groups. These ads focused on skincare concerns relevant to the Canadian climate, such as hydration during harsh winters, and positioned Eqqualberry as a solution to these issues. By targeting ads geographically and demographically, we maximized the campaign’s reach and relevance.
Key takeaway: Shoppers exposed to in-store promotions were 2.5 times more likely to purchase Eqqualberry products compared to those who weren’t.
—
Building Momentum for the Future
Eqqualberry’s success in Canada is more than just a case of good timing—it’s the result of an integrated approach that combined strategic distribution with thoughtful marketing. The rapid sellout at key locations and the consistent growth in sales across all eight H Mart stores highlight how a well-executed plan can deliver tangible results.
For Glimbora, this partnership represents a broader vision: enabling K-beauty brands to thrive in international markets by bridging the gap between their exceptional products and consumers who are eager to try them. As Eqqualberry continues to grow its footprint in Canada, we remain committed to refining and expanding our efforts to ensure long-term success.
Glimbora Insights
