Personal and beauty care
faces recession and holds up
BY ANTOINETTE ALEXANDER
financial officer,
executive vice presi-There’s no denying the eco- dent and chief nomic outlook is bleak. Gas administrative offi-prices are soaring, home cer, told analysts prices are falling, foreclosure during a recent con-rates are skyrocketing and the ference call to discredit crunch continues. But cuss first- quarter re-what does it all mean for the sults. “My interpre-health and beauty segment? tation is that con-According to the most sumers are making recent data provided by the Such value makeups as N.Y.C. Naturals have become tough choices on U.S. Department of Com- popular as the economic outlook has bleakened. big-ticket purchases, merce, as of press time, per- but they aren’t yet sonal income and personal focused on Snickers bars.” consumption have been mov- However, at least one ing in lockstep for the past few industry observer predicted months. Personal consumer that the economic condition expendituresrose0.2percent will spark a real trend in April, while disposable per- toward lower-end and value sonal income also rose 0.2 per- products—and beauty is no cent. This compares with exception.
March, when personal con- “My personal point of view sumer expenditures rose 0.4 is that we are into a very percent, based on revised esti- heavy cycle of trends toward mates, and disposable person- value and lower-priced prod-al income rose 0.3 percent. ucts,” said Michael Roth, man-
This steady holding pattern aging director at turnaround may not be the best news as firm Getzler Henrich. He pre-some have observed that if dicted this trend will continue one’s income is only growing for at least another one or two at the same pace as consump- quarters.
tion, and food and energy Roth, who began his costs are on the rise, then the career at Playtex, also has pool of leftover money is CONTINUED ON PAGE130
Q&A
Cutting edge in head care Todd Greene, HeadBlade After years of trying to shave his head with a conventional razor, Todd Greene, who specializes in liberal arts design, unveiled in 1999 the HeadBlade.The razor’s unique design allows users to shave their head easily by sweeping their scalps with a gliding motion, like running a hand through their hair.Through word-of-mouth, extensive press coverage and plugs by celebrity users, HeadBlade has not only established head care as a subcategory of men’s grooming but has positioned itself as a lifestyle brand. Todd Greene, president of HeadBlade, talked with Drug Store News about the evolution of HeadBlade and today’s men’s grooming segment.
shrinking. But luckily for pharmacy retailers, they have convenience (less gas consumption) and a stock of necessary personal care items (e.g. deodorant, toothpaste, hair care and feminine hygiene) in their favor.
Facing questions on the impact, if any, CVS is seeing from the softer economy on its front-store business, the chain recently looked into the discretionary versus non-dis-cretionary categories to evaluate whether there was a change in trend.
“Our data shows no evidence of a consumer slowdown based on this analysis,” David Rickard, CVS chief
DrSN: Explain the difference between skin care, hair care and head care and the importance of HeadBlade in this equation.
Greene: Most people understand the difference between skin care and hair care. … Up until the idea of head care there was very little, if any, intersection between the two worlds. Head care forms a natural bridge between skin care and hair care in the men’s category. It’s important that retail buyers understand the overlap. Someone who shaves their head, or does their own head care, fluctuates between the two worlds and needs products that deal with both the hair and the skin. For someone who shaves his head, whether with a razor or trimmer, his exposed scalp now necessitates a skin care-related purchase.
DrSN: HeadBlade uses a great deal of grassroots marketing and is associated with many celebrities who are ‘HeadBladers.’ Can you elaborate on your marketing efforts and its importance to retailers?
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MIAMI — With travelers spending on average 90 minutes post-security at the airport, 10 Minute Manicure continues to expand with the recent opening of its newest location at Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Va.
The Miami-based company currently operates 11 locations and will be adding new stores at JFK
International’s Terminal 3 in New York, Miami International’s South Terminal and Cincinnati’s A concourse in late spring.
The concept, which launched in 2006, was created to address the needs of women, who make up 48 percent of the traveling population and command an estimated $6.1 billion in spending power, the company stated. Today, 30
percent of its airport customers are men.
The new 383-square-foot location houses five custom seating units. Express manicures and pedicures are available based on a passenger’s schedule, with services beginning with the company’s signature manicure, completed in 10 minutes for $15. Spa-length manicure and pedicure services also are available.
WHITE PLAINS, N. Y. — Combe Inc. has introduced Just For Men Touch of Gray, the first and only gradual hair treatment that lets guys subtly refresh their look by keeping some of the gray in their hair.
Geared toward boomer men, the hair treatment is a permanent, no-mix formula that allows men to subtly reduce the amount of gray in their hair to the level they like, resulting in a very age-appropriate and natural look. It is designed to provide a subtle change with each application. The comb-in gel formula stays on for just five minutes and has no ammonia or peroxide.
Touch of Gray is available in five shades: light brown-gray, medium brown-gray, dark brown- gray, black-gray and jet black-gray. The product is priced at $7.99.
Combe Inc.’s Just For Men Touch of Gray
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