Eileen Francis
Reporter

Latest From Eileen Francis
Ulta Working To Combat Surging Retail Theft As Q1 Sales Rise 12.3%
Ulta Beauty says consumers are being more selective in their spending but show “continued willingness to splurge and treat themselves.” The company is implementing additional mitigation strategies in its stores – including placing fragrances in locked cabinets – to combat organized retail theft that is expected to slightly reduce its operating margins for the full year.
E.l.f. Facing Off Against Beauty Giants: Third Among Mass Market Brands As Sales Jump 78%
E.l.f. cosmetics climbed to No. 3 brand in US mass market cosmetics, up two slots from a year ago as it surpassed Revlon and CoverGirl. In its recent sales and earnings presentation, it announced sales in its fiscal 2023 fourth quarter jumped 78%.
Cosmetics Industry’s Preservatives Crisis Grows More Dire Under New Washington State Law
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed into law HB 1047 on 15 May, implementing the most aggressive cosmetics ingredient ban in the country. The Personal Care Products Council and Independent Beauty Association are concerned about a lack of alternative preservatives to replace targeted formaldehyde-releasing substances effectively and affordably and the law’s inconsistency with FDA over lead levels, among other impacts.
Perfect Corp. Highlights Results Of AR-Based Nail Color Sampling At Sally Hansen
Sally Hansen has seen a 300% increase in shades viewed on its website, and a 120% increase in intent to buy, since it introduced Perfect Corp.’s AR-based virtual try-on tool, the beauty tech firm says. French nail-color specialist Manicurist is the latest to partner with Perfect for its Green Flash brand.
Beauty In Gaming: A New Marketing Frontier With A Captive (And Increasingly Female) Audience
Per Lisa Hau, Bidstack’s chief strategy officer, “Gaming has an audience that is undeniable. It reaches one-third of the world's population and continues to grow.” And the average gamer is not the popularly imagined anti-social teenage male, as “45% of gamers are now female, and the average age sits comfortably at 34 years old.” It’s a compelling opportunity for beauty brands, Bidstack says.
Companies Targeted By FTC Using Penalty Offense Authority Have Strong Defense, Attorney Says
John Villafranco, partner at Kelly Drye & Warren LLP, says the US FTC’s ability to obtain monetary relief using the penalty offense mechanism is questionable both on statutory and Constitutional grounds. Marketers faced with civil penalties – for example, for alleged inadequately substantiated health claims – should stand their ground, he suggests in a recent interview.