PITTSBURGH — Manufacturers often promise retailers new items so powerful, the ground will shake.
On Monday at the Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing’s Cosmetics, Fragrance and Bath Efficient Program Planning Sessions conference here, the ground did move — literally.
Only hours into the meeting held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, a concrete slab collapsed, leaving a tractor trailer dangling just a few feet away from the gathering.
“;I was right in the middle of my presentation,” said Stu Dolleck, who was explaining his company’s lipology program. “;I knew it didn’t sound good.” Added Lisa Yarnell, president and chief executive officer of Jane & Co., “;We walked about into the cold just near where the truck was hanging.”
Within minutes, the ECRM staff had evacuated rooms set up with hundreds of new items and the Power Hall where many first-timers were trying to get their products into retail doors.
Speaking to the group, ECRM ceo Charles Bowlus explained that the meetings would be rescheduled the next day, either in hotel rooms or back in the convention center. Some meetings were already planned for the hotel, and manufacturers with those slots kept business going as usual. Others quickly looked to snag buyers milling in hallways for impromptu meetings.
While a few took the accident as a chance to relax, most intrepid buyers and sellers salvaged the afternoon by holding meetings on tables in the dining area. ECRM staff rolled out power wires for computers, but most products were locked away in the convention center. “;It looks like a refugee camp,” quipped one supplier. One supplier added that the location in sub-zero Pittsburgh kept the meeting going. “;If we were in Miami, we’d all hit the beach,” he said.
Although Bowlus was promised the center would be open for Tuesday meetings, notes were slipped under doors during the night stating that an expert would be flown in from the United Kingdom by noon to assess the damage and the safety of the building. “;Thank goodness he wasn’t coming from Australia,” joked one buyer.
Undaunted, ECRM’s team once again set up tables and computers for meetings. The convention center remained closed on Wednesday and buyers and sellers continued to do the best they could. Most manufacturers, who shelled out close to $20,000 for the meeting, praised Bowlus and his team for making the best of a situation that “;is out of their hands.”
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Somehow, amidst all the chaos, business did get done and retailers were treated to some new items they hope will bring business to their doors for the remainder of 2007, including the holiday period.
Among the highlights:
l Prestige Cosmetics touted Color Stories in the form of makeup booklets with color collections based on themes such as My Little Black Book or My Secrets. The collections will retail for $9.95. Prestige also launched a mascara at $5.95, a liquid eyeliner, bronzers and a carbon black eyeliner.
l The Happy Co. hopes retailers want unique items such as microwaveable, heatable neck wraps and booties. “;We have great Christmas gifts and sets, as well as items for all occasions,” said Phil Daleuski, sales and marketing director. One buyer said these items could offset consumer boredom with traditional holiday fragrance gift sets. Judy Aspinall, buyer for the Chain Drug Marketing Consortium, also voiced excitement over giftable spa items from Dream Time Inc. “;They have some unique items that really work for our members,” she said.
l CCA has discovered the power of green tea and has added the ingredient to six new stockkeeping units of nail care products. The company also showed new formulas in the nail care category.
l With European brands infiltrating U.S. shores, Axel Kraft International showed its bath and body products, including Fruttini, priced between $4.99 and $6.49, and Fruttini Smoothies.
l Many retailers were interested to hear what Ascendia had to say about its recent acquisition of Calgon and The Healing Garden from Coty. Ascendia already has a well established bath and body business with Lander brands as well as Mr. Bubble, which it purchased from Playtex. “;We expect a seamless transition and no interruption in service,” said Bill Acheson, executive vice president of Global Sales at Ascendia Brands. He noted that both brands have tremendous consumer recognition that would translate into strong selection at the shelf of the brands.
l San Francisco Soap Co. also hopes to heat things up in mass bath and body with the reintroduction of its line. The company is also repositioning Simply Be Well as a certified organic brand.
l Buyers were on the prowl for natural and organic lines. Schroeder & Tremayne is offering its Botanical Bath line as well as antimicrobial accessories made from bamboo. The consensus at the show was that buyers have done their homework and want to build credible natural bath and body departments.
l With fragrance sales lackluster, several companies showed solutions. Of particular interest was 100% Love, a new line from First American Brand. The line is a teen brand combining a Web site, a charity focus and celebrity backing from up-and-comer Jeannie Ortega. Kids can log onto the site and build funds to sponsor a child through World Vision, and 100% Love will sponsor a bash for seniors in high school at Universal Studios this spring.
l In color, minerals continue to shine. Jane’s Yarnell said Be Pure, the company’s mineral collection, would be extended, including a mineral version of the popular face in a box concept. She thinks Be Pure is appealing to women who want to buy minerals, but are scared off by pricing. Another notable launch from Jane is Lip Parfaits, which will be available for holiday 2007. Mirage Cosmetics also threw its hat into the mineral ring with a line called Fresh Minerals.
Photos: the parking garage, the tables people had impromptu meetings