Janet Herlihy, Editor09.29.09
The “dog days” of summer—hot, slow and lazy— used to be synonymous with slow news days.
But in the middle of the summer of 2002, we all could use some relief, not only from the hazy, hot and humid weather that has much of the country tight in its sticky grip, but relief from the disturbing business and political news as well.
Each day brings more headlines of terrorist threats and attacks, executive misconduct and economic predictions that are about as reliable as the weather forecasts. No one really knows if terrorists will strike, when the economy will turn around or where the scattered storms will drop some much-needed rain.
It’s on days like these, that I’m personally glad to be reporting on an industry that can produce businesses like Rocket City Cosmetics (p. 20) and Tony&Tina Vibrational Remedies (p. 24). Both are small, innovative operations that have solid plans but don’t take themselves too seriously. The products are fun, trendy and safe. The founders are creative and not afraid to try new things.
While certainly today’s cosmetic and personal care business is dominated by huge corporations, it seems to me that the very nature of the market supports innovation and creativity. It’s what keeps the category alive, consumers interested and sales steady if not soaring.
And while the beauty business isn’t solving the more dire problems in the world, at least it doesn’t make those problems worse and does provide us with relief from life’s more serious questions. (And many people in the business are working on a host of worthy causes.)
While we wait for the weather to break, it’s time to start planning for fall markets. HBA Global Expo (p. 32) will raise the curtain on its 10th annual showing in New York on Oct. 14 with an expanded format of exhibitors, seminars and awards. And if your market is high-end, there’s Luxe Pack (p. 28) in Monaco later in the fall to consider.
In this issue, Cosmetic Packaging & Design has taken a look at interesting categories in the beauty business. Home fragrance (p. 36) is a segment that is making the most of the cocooning trend. Read how marketers are offering a variety—electric plug-ins to traditional candles—of products to keep consumers coming back for more.
And see how major brands in color cosmetics (p. 40) are investing in better merchandising in mass markets to make buying and selling easier for consumers and retailers.
July/August also brings the first annual Buyer’s Guide (beginning on p. 53). As with most first-time endeavors, it was more complicated than planned and took more time for your editor to compose than scheduled.
We hope it will prove to be a valuable resource. Check out our Website www.CosmeticPackagingandDesign to see how it translates online.
And, try to enjoy the rest of the summer,