Fragrance Counter Introduces Cosmetics Counter Offering
an Array of Prestige Beauty Products
Fragrance Counter (AMEX:ALU), the leading online retailer of prestige fragrances, Tuesday announced the launch of CosmeticsCounter, http://www.cosmeticscounter.com, a new commerce web site offering a variety of brand name color cosmetics, beauty treatments and accessories.
The site was developed by Organic, N.Y. The shopping experience at Cosmetics Counter focuses on convenience. The site was designed with speed and ease-of-use in mind, and complements its sister site, The Fragrance Counter, http://www.fragrancecounter.com, which has been selling fragrances online since 1995.
Product offerings at Cosmetics Counter include such well-known brands as: Lancome, Elizabeth Arden, Clinique, and Estee Lauder.Cosmetics Counter shoppers can order their favorite products in a quick and easy fashion, making the service invaluable for busy professionals.
"We are pleased to continue our relationship with such an industry leader as Organic," said Eli Katz, senior vice president and general manager of Fragrance Counter. "Cosmetics Counter is a natural extension for Fragrance Counter, as the demand for beauty productsonline is growing at a rate of about 300% for 1998."
The Cosmetics Counter site gives users an array of choices to make shopping for and buying cosmetics easier than ever before. Shoppers visiting Cosmetics Counter have the option of selecting products by specific brand or by category.
A consumer looking for lipstick may click on the Shop By Brand button and choose the particular brand from the pull-down menu. Users can also type the word lipstick in the search bar or click on any of the Color, Treatments or Accessories buttons to find their lipstick.
As an additional feature, Organic has created a backend search for users to browse products by specific product categories. A user can type in SPF and review various product categories such as moisturizer, sunscreen, or lipstick.
A significant benefit to Cosmetics Counter shoppers is The Cosmetics Club. The Club features a replenishment program that allows shoppers to receive specific products on an ongoing basis. When checking out, shoppers simply click on the box for the CosmeticsClub and set their option for frequency.
As a club member, users receive free shipping on every Cosmetics Club delivery, and a free cosmetics bag with the first replenishment. Two weeks before delivery, an e-mail reminder will be sent. Members have the option of canceling their order within seven days of delivery, and can quit the club at any time.
"Organic is happy to have been part of the development and launch of Cosmetics Counter," said Mike Golden, vice president of Organic. "An easy shopping experience is the most important benefit to online consumers, and we've achieved that with this site."
As with Fragrance Counter, all orders placed with Cosmetics Counter are shipped within 24-hours, and come with a 30-day money back guarantee. Shipping is always free. Gift-wrapping and a personalized greeting card are also available at no additional cost.
Because the Cosmetics Counter and Fragrance Counter sites are linked, shoppers can buy a complementary fragrance with their beauty purchase by simply clicking on Scents to Match Your Style in the Cosmetics Counter site.
Recently, Fragrance Counter signed exclusive partnership agreements with search engines Excite Inc.(NASDAQ: XCIT), Yahoo! Inc.(NASDAQ:YHOO), and Lycos Inc.(NASDAQ:LCOS), and is a featured retailer on The Microsoft Plaza (NASDAQ:MSFT).
The company also signed a $12 million, four-year deal with America Online Inc. (NYSE:AOL) to be the exclusive boutique retailer of fragrances and cosmetics, reaching an estimated 12 million America Online members. As a result of these exclusive agreements, Fragrance Counter is reaching over 80% of internet users worldwide. About Organic
As pioneers in the industry, Organic (http://www.organic.com) has been helping clients build businesses online since 1993. Their integrated structure, comprehensive capabilities, strategic insight and experience in the industry have made them uniquely able to create effective e-commerce and other interactive solutions for their clients.
The company offers expertise in: strategic marketing and technology consulting; online advertising and promotions development; media planning and placement; research services and facilities; user interface design and turnkey production services; software development; and secure hosting.
In addition to Fragrance Counter, clients range from global brands and e-commerce category leaders such as Barnes and Noble, Nike, Starbucks, and Levi-Strauss to non-profit organizations such as Impact Online. About Fragrance Counter
The Fragrance Counter, launched in September 1995, is a subsidiary of Allou Health & Beauty Care Inc. It is widely accepted to be the dominant retailer of designer fragrances online because of its recent agre