Beauty Sales Migrating to DRTV and Other Alternative Channels

Women are increasingly passing up the cosmetics counters at department stores, shopping for their beauty products on TV and in specialty stores like those operated by Sephora USA Inc. and Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. The new predilection, in fact, is part of the reason why HSN and QVC reported such strong first quarters, and also why department store sales fell 9.3% between May 2007 and May 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.  What’s more, these alternative distribution channels for cosmetics are cross-pollinating.  The Perricone MD and Philosophy skin care lines initially made their names on QVC, then expanded their distribution into Ulta and Sephora stores, and finally opened up their own retail locations.  The Deal Jun. 24, 2010