What's new in fragrances for 1998

Drug Store News, Nov 17, 1997

* There is a line of Annie Oakley fragrances and bath/body products now available from Annie Oakley Enterprises Inc., based in Ligonier, Ind. In addition to miniature colognes in five flavors with a suggested retail of $6 each, there are also full-size 1-ounce colognes in seven flavors, with a suggested retail of $17.50 each. Displays are available.

* American International, based in Los Angeles, has added a new fragrance to its line of Clubman-Pinaud men's fragrances and after-shaves. The scent is Clubman Vanilla (vanilla with a twist of spice), and it's available as a cologne, after-shave and talc. There are also Clubman fragrance gift sets for the holidays.

* Bonne Bell, based in Lakewood, Ohio, will be expanding into the fragrance category early next year with a new cologne targeted to teens. There are three flavors: flirty, dazed and hopeful. There will be one common price point and one size, half an ounce. Spring-loaded fixtures will be available for display.

* Bloomfield, N.J.-based Cosrich has acquired the right to license a Sabrina line of teen cosmetics and fragrances. It will be shipping its first collection in early 1998 for a June/July on-counter launch "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" is currently the No. 1 teen show in America, particularly popular with pre-teen girls. The Sabrina line will include a fragranced body splash, nail enamels and lip gloss. The retails will be value-priced, and the launch will be supported with ads in teen and possibly preteen magazines.

* New York-based Coty is extending its Calgon Body Mists line with three fragrances: berry blush, spiced tea and water fillies. That brings the collection to a total of nine SKUs. For Christmas 1997, Coty will also introduce the same nine flavors in body lotions and shower gels. Price points will be $3.99 for the lotion and gels, compared to $5.95 for the mists.

* The Dana Perfumes division of New York-based Renaissance Cosmetics will introduce a NaVy line extension in March 1998 called Shades by NaVy. To reach the broadest possible market, Shades is being positioned as a multi-cultural scent. The print ads will feature six models of various ethnic backgrounds.

Dana is packaging Shades for maximum shelf impact. The rounded-oval glass bottle is in vibrant hues of blue and green. The cap is a translucent blue. No announcement has been made yet about the brand's price points or the number of SKUs that will be in the line. Renaissance has said it still be spending $4 million this fall on a print campaign to support NaVy For Women and NaVy For Men. The company said it will spend at least $3 million in the spring to support the introduction of Shades.

* In late February or early March 1998, Dana will also extend the fetish brand into the fragranced bath and body category segment targeted toward teens. There will be four fragrances in six product forms. The packaging will be striking and unique and price points will be in the $5.50 to $6 range. Renaissance may also launch another fragrance in the first quarter of 1998.

* Dana is also working on a relaunch of its Love's teen fragrance for early 1998 as well as relaunches of its British Sterling and English Leather fragrances for men.

* Intercosmetic Inc., based in Stamford, Conn., is introducing a Priscilla Presley signature fragrance called Roses & More. Targeted to women ages 25 to 45, it will launch this spring with price points ranging from $12.50 for a 0.5-ounce to about $25 for a 1.7- ounce bottle

* Parfums de Coeur is introducing three scents for the body mist sprays, body lotion sprays and shower gels in the Body Fantasies line. Citrus, white musk and peonie scents will ship March 1998.

* Tsumura, in Secaucus, NJ., is launching a collection of beauty care products targeted to teens. The 10-SKU collection, which is called My Attitude, features a bath and body shower gel, body misting spray, body lotion, a sheer fragrance stick and a lip gloss in two flavors, kiwi and strawberry. The line is targeted to the younger teens aged 9 to 13. Suggested retails are $4.99 for the body products and $2.99 for the lip gloss.

The collection, which will ship in February 1998, will be supported with a $1.5 million campaign in young girl and teen magazines. There will also be some 3 million free samples distributed to teens, and the launch will feature on-packs with a free emery board key chain as a purchasing incentive.

* Ulric de Varens is a collection of eau de parfums made by Paris-based Ulric de Varens, which currently has the second-best-selling fragrance line in France. Its fragrances, which retail for under $20, are being distributed in the United States by Dream Perfumes, a Miami-based company. In addition to brands including UDV, a men's line, and rue Pergolese and Varensia, two women's brands that are already in everyday basic planogram and/or promotional distribution in several small or regional drug chains, the company also has a newly launched line of lightly fragranced body mights under the brand name, eau de Varens. Scents are citrusy flavor and a citrus/spice mixture. An 0.5-ounce boxed version retails for a suggested $10, while the same size unboxed retails for $8.50.