BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 73

If Coty had pulled off the deal, it would have been congratulated for exploiting Avon’s current vulnerability and getting what has been described as an “iconic company” for a good price and for buying growth where it most needs it. Possible problems would have been absorbing a company more than twice its size and one that is going through major problems, as well as taking on a completely new distribution model. Industry watchers say that now that Coty may be out to make more buys in the direct-selling arena, and put forth Natura as a possible target. This was not the first time Coty has been associated with a direct-seller. Last year it was thought that the group was looking to take a stake in Brazilian direct-sales company Jequiti. It emerged in September that Coty had renewed talks with Jequiti, which is valued at $500m, following its failed Avon bid. Analysts say L’Oréal could also be in the running for Jequiti. Another direct seller that could interest the majors is Oriflame. Rumors that the Swedish group is ripe for a take over have come to the surface several times over the past few years. While the company is weak in emerging markets like Brazil (where it is not present) and China, its business has been healthy. It also has a strong position in Eastern and Central Europe, which accounts for around 70% of its sales, and it is ranked second in Russia’s beauty and personal-care market. Direct drawbacks But the direct-sales channel is not without its drawbacks. Although growth has been good in regions like Latin America and Eastern Europe, it has nonetheless slowed. Euromonitor head of global beauty and personal care research Irina Barbalova believes the slowdown in Russia and Brazil is partly due to a “continued shift to storebased modern retail, as well as the growth of the internet”. Furthermore operational problems and issues with order fulfillment were reported by both Natura and Avon in Brazil in 2011, which have also limited overall supply and thwarted growth. Another downside is the fear that the channel in developed markets has little future ahead of it. Also tarnishing the image of direct sales is the channel’s knack for attracting scandals. Avon has had its fair share of such problems over the past three years. The company began examining

its Chinese operations in 2008 after reports that employees had bribed officials there. This led to the sacking of four executives in May last year and saw the company extend the investigation to other markets. Meanwhile, at fellow direct seller Nu Skin,

executive’s leadership. Avon’s new ceo Sheri McCoy said that stabilizing the business was her “first and most urgent objective”. “Avon has lost market share and missed expectations; has had problems executing and has faced operational and strategic issues. The rate of growth has declined and cost structure and cash generation need to be improved,” she commented. Her priority Direct sales is seen as a “big will be to assess the business in key markets, white space opportunity” by including the US, Brazil, China, Mexico and Russia, as well as review the product portfolio, reps’ some analysts, who add that earnings and Avon’s operating model. McCoy the next few years could see added that Avon also now faces new competimany of the industry’s major tors and changing consumer expectations. Indeed, competitors have been working to groups look for tie-ups with capitalize on Avon’s weakness. Euromonitor direct-sellers notes that Natura increased its market share in 2011 to 4.3%. Nu Skin too has been pushing allegations emerged over the summer that its skincare and nutritional products’ launches. It the company operated an illegal multi-level launched its skincare and supplement line agemarketing scheme in mainland China. Nu Skin LOC in 2009. The company also has big plans to subsequently rejected the accusation. expand in China. So what about the future? Direct Selling Healthy leaders? Europe md Marc Pauw is confident that the Apart from the scandals is the relative poor channel will continue to grow, while Euromohealth of some of the sector’s leaders, namely nitor predicts that direct selling will see a 2.4% Avon. In addition to a a series of earnings misses, cumulative annual growth rate over the next declining profits and plunging share prices, the few years, excluding inflation. The hot spots will US-based company has suffered from operacontinue to be Latin America, Middle East and tional problems and continues to lose sales Africa, growing 5.3% and 5.6% respectively. representatives. The company was also without However, despite the emerging market potential a ceo for several months, given the resignation and the bigger entities that could emerge from of Andrea Jung in December 2011, a move consolidation in the channel, direct sales still has that followed growing dissatisfaction with the some serious challenges ahead. n

Web direct
The internet has been a hot topic when it comes to direct selling. There was initial worry that the web could be a threat to sales reps and at the same time the hope that it would enhance business. But for the most part it is used internally to facilitate orders and training for reps rather than sell to the consumer. Companies have been careful to avoid setting up e-commerce sites which compete directly with their sales reps. Australian skincare brand, Miessence, gives distributors their own websites. “The distributors do the marketing for the company which cuts marketing costs,” explains Rob Bentley, independent representative, trading as MiNaturals. “Rather than being a threat, the internet provides direct selling with a global marketplace rather than the local or neighborhood one that existed before.” Direct Selling Europe managing director Marc Pauw does not see the internet as threatening the sales rep. “Without [the vast network direct sellers’ sales reps] there is no direct selling,” he stresses. “Some companies are making minor attempts with some activity online, but in most situations and companies, the mix of internet and selling does not work. As soon as internet proceeds for the company are put before the interests of the sales agents, these agents will not accept the loss of income and will leave.”
73

November-December 2012 - N°12 - BW Confidential



BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012

Cover
Comment
Contents
Update
- Brand & retail news recap
- Companies on the move
Take note Market facts, figures & trends
Best of BW Highlights from our e-publication
Launches The latest in fragrance, skincare & make-up
Interview L'Oréal Luxe president Nicolas Hieronimus
Insight: Fragrance
- Category overview
- Regional breakdown
- Retail strategies
- Sampling
- Launch roundup
Wellness
- Clarins' spa strategy
- Spa case studies
Retail
- Chinese shoppers abroad
- Direct sales
- Store concepts
Digital
- QR codes
- Selling beauty online
- Marketing strategies
Market watch: South East Asia
- Regional overview
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
Travel retail
- Industry analysis
- Retailer viewpoint
- New niches
- Retailer factfile
Emerging markets Company profile: Dabur
Radar Up-and-coming beauty brands
Packaging
- Sustainable packaging in the BRICs
- Packs for Chinese consumers
- Luxe Pack preview
Last word Uber founder Sarah Cross
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - Cover
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 2
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 3
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 4
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 5
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 6
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - Comment
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 8
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - Contents
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 10
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 11
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Brand & retail news recap
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 13
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 14
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 15
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 16
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 17
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Companies on the move
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 19
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 20
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 21
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 22
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 23
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 24
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 25
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - Take note Market facts, figures & trends
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 27
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - Best of BW Highlights from our e-publication
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 29
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 30
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 31
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - Launches The latest in fragrance, skincare & make-up
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 33
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 34
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 35
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - Interview L'Oréal Luxe president Nicolas Hieronimus
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 37
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 38
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 39
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Category overview
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 41
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 42
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - EC1
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - EC2
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 43
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 44
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Regional breakdown
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 46
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 47
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Retail strategies
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 49
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 50
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 51
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 52
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Sampling
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 54
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 55
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Launch roundup
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 57
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 58
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 59
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 60
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 61
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 62
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 63
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Clarins' spa strategy
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 65
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Spa case studies
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 67
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 68
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 69
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Chinese shoppers abroad
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 71
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Direct sales
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 73
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 74
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 75
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 76
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 77
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Store concepts
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 79
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 80
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - QR codes
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 82
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 83
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 84
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Selling beauty online
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 86
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 87
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Marketing strategies
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 89
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 90
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Regional overview
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Thailand
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 93
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Indonesia
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 95
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Vietnam
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 97
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Industry analysis
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 99
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 100
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 101
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Retailer viewpoint
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 103
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - New niches
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 105
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Retailer factfile
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 107
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 108
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 109
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - Emerging markets Company profile: Dabur
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 111
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - Radar Up-and-coming beauty brands
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 113
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 114
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 115
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 116
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Sustainable packaging in the BRICs
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 118
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 119
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 120
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Packs for Chinese consumers
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 122
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 123
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - - Luxe Pack preview
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 125
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - Last word Uber founder Sarah Cross
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 127
BW Confidential - Issue #12 - November/December 2012 - 128
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