Ethnic cosmetics are hot, hot, hot

Drug Store News, Sept 30, 1991

Ethnic cosmetics are hot, hot, hot

Yesterday, it was a stepchild.

Today it's one of the hottest growth categories in chain drug stores.

The "it," of course, is ethnic cosmetics, and according to buyers, some chain drug stores are enjoying year-to-date sales increases as high as 200 percent. Buyers agree that there are logical reasons for the success.

"For so long, there hasn't been a lot happening in ethnic cosmetics," says K&B's Donna McManus. "Now, all of a sudden, everyone's coming out with an ethnic cosmetic line, and finally we do have a lot more to offer consumers."

"There is a future for ethnic cosmetics, and it's one I want to go after," agrees A.L. Price's Nancy Stone.

Buyers like Stone, McManus, Revco's Judy Wiencze Wray, Pay Less's Shari Ralston and Bill's Sharon Schrage feel that with all the new launches in the category, stores have a chance to offer a lot more selection.

Stone says drug store merchants should be able to take the women buying the upscale Fashin Fair line in department stores and get them "to take a look at what we carry in our stores." For a more in-depth report on ethnic cosmetics, as well as the current state of ethnic HBA sales, see our special report beginning on page 73 of this issue.