CosmoBiz Magazine April 2016 | Page 88

Beauty Industry News USA Birchbox Cuts 15% of Staffh The US based beauty subscription service recently announced that they would be ending their operations in Canada as well as cutting 15% of staff. The company has noted that this is not a reflection of declining business; CEO Katia Beauchamp noted, “We are hitting all of our growth goals and expect to nearly double our shop sales, while still experiencing significant growth in subscriptions in 2016. We will do this as a leaner, stronger and more resolved company.” The decision to end operations in Canada is reportedly due to shipping costs. Beauchamp also added, “In five years, we have built an immensely successful business and achieved rapid growth – and these people helped create Birchbox as we know it. They are our friends, and we will always be grateful for their invaluable contributions. But we have learned a tremendous amount about what we need to do to win in the beauty category. The cuts made today will allow us to reinvest in our biggest opportunities and grow even more quickly in the future. We have a clear understanding of how we can streamline our efforts and operate more efficiently.” Revlon and Accessory Headquarters to 88 COSMOBIZ SALON APRIL 2016 Partner Accessory Headquarters, a company that focuses on producing accessories like toiletry bags and organizers, has partnered with Revlon to create and globally distribute products for the brand. Chief Operating Officer of Revlon Consumer, Gianni Pieraccioni, said. “We are delighted to partner with AHQ on creating, marketing and distributing worldwide our new Revlon cosmetic bags. AHQ is a company with many years of experience and one with an impeccable reputation. They also have a proven track record of foreseeing market trends in a highly competitive and fastchanging business.” A representative of Accessory Headquarters, Abe Chehebar, noted, “Revlon is a globallyrecognized household name that we are proud to have under the AHQ umbrella, and we’re excited to launch this new line in major retailers throughout the world. One of the reasons Revlon recognized us is because we are a fashion house at our core, and we understand how important color and personality are in the cosmetic bag category. The cosmetics bag industry is definitely ready for a fashion wakeup call, and we’re poised to deliver.” Clinique and SK-II Join Snapchat In an effort to diversify their social media and advertising abilities, the two companies, owned by Etsée Lauder and P&G respectively, have joined snapchat. Both have been working on keeping their lines more relevant and have noted the app based interface is a unique opportunity to gain new consumers and keep older ones interested. SK-II’s Digital Communications Brand Manager, Alexandra Vogler, said of the move, “SK-II has always believed in driving inspiring conversations and empowering women with a genuine voice. As Snapchat establishes itself as one of the most authentic story-telling platforms, we are thrilled to kick off the brand’s Snapchat account at one of the most exciting times of the year and give fans live access to SK-II’s activities.” Marie Claire Reveals Best Beauty Products of 2016