The Face of Beauty

            After last weeks highlight of Walgreens and their serious revamp of their skin and beauty assortment, I wondered just how CVS, their leading competitor was planning to respond. In a way felt badly for them from a personal stand point, silly as it sounds, because I'm a CVS girl. I guess in the same way that I'm a Coke girl......I just say no.....to Pepsi that is. As a child there was a CVS in walking distance from my house so it was easy for my friends and I to make the trip for candy, soda, or, well.....when we got older.....cigarettes. Could we fool the checkout guy became a semi regular event in which only the bravest entered, and sometimes emerged the victor.  So it was in recounting the misadventures of my youth, and the role the local CVS played in my own minor delinquency, that I began to realize my attachment to that silly pharmacy. Hence that tiny pang of sadness I felt upon reading about Walgreens savvy move.
           It didn't take long for CVS to publicly respond to the beauty market challenge set forth by their foe as this week the retailer revealed plans to launch Nuance, a beauty line by Salma Hayek in August.  The endeavor has been underway for years by the actress who's grandmother was a cosmetologist herself. CVS plans to sell the product in 7,000 stores and online at affordable price points fitting their consumer. The value consciousness not forgotten by CVS is quite different to Walgreens upscale luxury approach. While it remains to be seen how effective Walgreens efforts will be, CVS's plans are in my mind a sure fire winner.

           They are coming at it the right way. First, celebrity products usually equate to sales and Salma Hayek is everybody's girl. Not only is she and award winning actress, she is also the picture of graceful aging. She's as attractive today as she was 10 years ago, no doubt due to a combination of good genes and her grandmothers secret cosmetic concoctions. She also has an enthusiasm for her product that even the best actress could not imitate. Lastly, she's Mexican, a perfect face for CVS catering to the ever expanding Hispanic market.      

Scentsory

            The fragrance and flavor market has been the slowest to recover post recession. The are many factors to consider when pondering the question of why.
            First there is just so much competition. Every Tom, Dick and Harry is releasing scents in to the market leaving consumers with so many options it's just plain confusing.
             Second, and perhaps the most important, the gen Y consumer it not buying it. Many of them don't seem to be into fragrance. If retailers can't find a way to woo this market the implications could be far reaching. Who knows if this market will remain in a permanently fragrance free state or if they will grow into it. 
           Third, on line sales are harder for perfumeries. People will purchase a fragrance they know they like online but may not necessarily be so adventurous as to purchase a new fragrance. At least with apparel you can make a fair approximation of size or fit. The same cannot be said for perfume. Consumers may be given a description of the scent as "floral" or "citrus" based but who really knows what that means.
            I read a book a while back that predicted scents would be used to provide the consumer with a multi-sensory experience for the consumer. Now two years later we see Ralph Laurens 4D fashion show. The forth element, scent. I believe that in the coming years we will be seeing a lot more of this type of innovation in the world of fragrances. It is necessary to push into new areas due to the strong disadvantages in this market.

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One to Watch- Walgreen's

            Gone are the day's of the corner chemist. These days drug stores fall somewhere between a grocery store and a convince store. And for sure they can be found almost every  street corner and intersection nationwide. Some shoppers frequent them for little things they need to pick up on the way home from work, while others, like my mother, live there. They have almost anything you could possibly need including milk and frozen dinners, prescriptions and photo development. And hey, they offer coupons and customer cards to boot. The benefits are almost endless, I mean who wouldn't pay a few cents more to save the time it would require to drive all the way over to the grocery store? Really in many cases the price of the gas to get there may even amount to the savings. The CVS's and Walgreen's really have it made.What else could they offer?
              Well in a recent article in WWD I read that Walgreen's is making moves to revamp their beauty assortment. The retailer too note of Duane Reade's Look Boutique which featured high end cosmetics. They will be focusing on premium priced beauty and beauty advisers. In addition they are changing the store format to fit the new high end products.
                They have already transformed one of there Manhattan locations to test the idea. The new format is "open and airy", and keeps with the "bohemian feel of the neighborhood". The layout is sleek, well lit and affords customers ample space to browse. The primary focus of the will be in skin care but Walgreen's has no plans to exclude it's current customer. They just want to include a new one. Prices range from $25 to $50.
                 Though no details have been provided as to the exact locations of the new stores they will probably be in urban areas that have the traffic and the market for them. Considering how often people tend to stop in these store for sheer convenience I think it's was a really smart move on the part of Walgreen's. I mean why not pick up you skin care regime there if they offer it. Visually the new format is impressive for a drugstore and I feel like it will effect the way people see beauty product's at pharmacy's. It has a very boutique like yet urban presence and I'd imagine quite a different, classier, feel. Stepping up their offering in this way, and through skin care is intelligent. There is not one person who does not want to look or feel better about themselves, particularly in this aging market.

                  So to all the CVS's of the world watch out because Walgreen's is bringin' it in a big way.    


 

A Fairy Tale Wedding

            Our fascination with celebrity climbs to nearly inconceivable heights when royalty is involved. One could understand the recent "Royal Wedding" craze if perhaps we were British. But here in America? They are not our Monarchs. We were not raised with a King and Queen, but we did have a princess or two.  
            Perhaps, at least for us gals, it has to do with fairy tales. In fact I'm quite certain of it. We are raised to believe that one day we will all find our very own prince charming. He will swoop in and with a single embrace rescue us from the peril of an otherwise mundane existence. His charm and charisma will be so overpowering that we fall madly in love and "live happily ever after".  Yes that's exactly how the story goes, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel told us so.
             As we age we come to find that these are just stories. Some of us will find love while others of us may eternally be kissing frogs........Enter Kate Middleton, the embodiment of every little girls dream.

             With the impending royal nuptials on the horizon the excitement is reaching a fever pitch and I'm not the first person to notice. Products big and small feature the happy couple and offer you "commemorative" wares guaranteed to provide you with a tangible memory. Marketers and product developers act like masterful puppeteers pulling the heartstrings of every little girl inside who dreams of being a princess. Everything from tee shirts to teabags and royal refrigerators feature the pair, oh and who could forget the replica engagement ring. Television stations across the globe clamor for ratings broadcasting the event. And then of course there is still the question of who will be Kate's dress designer. Everyone from big names like Sarah Burton to the more obscure names of Bruce Oldfield or Jasper Conran. No one knows but whoever it is can expect instant notoriety.
                 The media was on alert with the wedding of Charles and Diana in the 1980's but with today's increased availability of information and media it is far more the case. The intimacy, and to an extent the royal pomp has been diminished in favor of a relentless profit parade. It's a dream come true for anyone with some tacky royal memorabilia.
                 Personally, I can't wait for the whole event to be over, because it's too much, it's everywhere, and it's really just getting plain annoying. 





Sources
http://fashionista.com/2011/04/report-kate-middletons-dress-designer-revealed/
http://entertainment.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/03/24/prince-william-and-kate-middleton-commemorative-refrigerator-hits-the-market/
http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20395222_20474794,00.html

   
           

Our Boyfriend

The question in the papers this week is whether or not John Galliano will be able to make a comeback to the world of fashion. A land where his reputation for bad behavior is almost as solid as his recognition for his work. I'm sure everyone is informed of his less then graceful exit from Dior a few moths back as a result of anti-Semitic remarks made by the intoxicated designer. 
            In actuality the question is not whether Gallaino will return, instead a question of when. In society, as unfortunate as it may be, celebrities of every kind are permitted to behave in scandalous ways. The repercussions of said behavior are often mild or short lasting. In some cases they may not even exist at all. We the public put celebrities on pedestals, raising them high above ourselves, oftentimes glamorizing their raucous behavior, and boating their egos with constant praise. Equally as much, if not more, we like watching them fall from that pedestal, and take a hard slap off the gro
und of reality. We like to know they are in fact mere mortals like ourselves. Fortunately for the fallen, the blow is often fleeting cured by the admittance of wrong doing and a subsequent trip to rehab.
              The public is like that girl you know who keeps taking her cheating loser boyfriend back. He grovels, sends flowers, and promises to never ever to do it again, and in the space of a few days they are right as rain.
              Gallaino has already taken the steps necessary both apologizing and entering an "intensive" rehab program. The designer also recognized that recovery is "an ongoing process" and has enrolled in an "after care" program. Because our society is prone to forgive those repentant sinners, one often wonders if there is sincerity behind the act  or if it is merely and attempt to salvage a battered career?
              Either way, when all is said and done John Gallaino will be back in business, of that I'm sure. In my opinion, the recent scandal will have no lasting effect on his dollars or his sense ........the comeback might just have to wait....well, probably an extra six months. Although who knows, maybe he'll get time off for good behavior.



http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news?module=tn#/article/fashion-news/can-john-galliano-ever-come-back--3586039

Apples and Bananas

            Apple Inc, always seems to be one step ahead of the competition. Tdown to businesshey have the most technologically advanced products that the rest of the market struggles to copy as fast as possible. Not only do they offer reliable gizmos on the cutting edge accompanied by some of the best customer service I've ever personally experienced, they also have design down pat. Their products are sleek and modern  maintaining the hip image Apple has created for itself.
             With that in mind Apple recently coupled with Incase to produce a new line of iPhone and iPad cases, covers, and sleeves. With the permission of the Andy Warhol Foundation granted, the creations feature some of Warhol's most iconic works including 1966 banana, 1964 "Flower Print", 1966 "Cow Wallpaper", and 1982 "Dollar Sign".
                The marriage of Pop Art icon Andy Warhol and eternally hip Apple couldn't be more perfect! The new product line is available at goincase.com and through Apple stores and retailers worldwide.


Sources:
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/pop-shop-andy-warhol-for-incase/?ref=design
http://www.lorensworld.com/top-picks-/item/834-incase-for-andy-warhol-collection-iphone-case.html

DUDE No.1

            Lately it seems the men, a largely ignored group in retail, are beginning to garner attention. It's become apparent to retailers that there is room for improvement and profitability.While it is true that women still spend more than men it has also true that male spending is on the rise. Men on the whole are becoming more fashion conscious seeking out style in magazines, store windows, and through peers. It seems as though the line between men and women is blurring. Each adapting elements of the other for an increasingly androgynous environment.
           Not only does androgyny apply to apparel, it extends to makeup. Male cosmetics companies are popping up like UK based MYEGO, that sells make up and male grooming products, for one. Other cosmetics brands are extending their product range to include products for men. Most recently Anne McClain founder of MCMC Fragrances in Brooklyn, produced the very first scent for beards. DUDE No.1 as it is cleverly titled is dual purpose first and foremost as a scent with hints of cedar wood, green coriander and pink peppercorn.Second, the organic oils that form the compound serve to moisturize the skin and tames unruly beards. The sleek yet simple packaging fully reflects the new male consumer and is intimidating. It's easy enough even for the lowest maintenance man.

Sources
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/vain-glorious-dude-no-1-beard-oil/?ref=mens-fashion