About Avon

Avon Products Inc. is a U.S.-based international perfume and cosmetics company that produces goods primarily for women. They also have major sale bases in China, Russia, Canada and Great Britain. Avon is heavily involved in breast cancer awareness and fundraising and hosts a yearly walk-a-thon in support of the cause.

History

Avon Products has been operating since 1886 and was founded by David H. McConnell under the original name California Perfume Co. The San Francisco-based company had moderate success in its early years selling perfume and cosmetics to women, using primarily door-to-door sales techniques. The name changed in 1939 to Avon Products Inc., and the famous "Avon Calling" advertising initiative began in the 1950s, one of the most recognizable cosmetic advertising campaigns in the past 60 years.

Significance

The products Avon sells range from cosmetics to perfume to apparel to hair care items. One of Avon's best-selling and most famous lines is the Anew anti-aging skin-care system. Avon also sells products in partnership with many celebrities, such as Reese Witherspoon, Derek Jeter and Jillian Dempsey. It also sells products from other manufacturers, such as Planet Spa, Sincerely Sarah and Solutions.

Function

In America, Avon products are traditionally not sold in stores, but rather door-to-door, online and in catalogs. Like several other cosmetics companies, like Mary Kay, Avon representatives work from home or travel, selling the wide variety of products for a commission. These representatives are called "Avon Ladies" in popular culture, as they are usually female.

Considerations

While Avon has made a name for itself as a female-focused cosmetics company, it has also made in-roads over the past 10 years into other demographics, offering products geared toward men and children. Avon now offers gifts and apparel for children from several brands, including Hannah Montana, as well as children's hygiene products like soap and shampoo. Similarly, they now offer a popular line of skin-care products for men in partnership with Yankee baseball player Derek Jeter.

Benefits

Avon Products is also involved in fundraising and awareness programs for breast cancer. In addition to selling a line of products that supports research, it also sponsors and organizes the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, a two-day, 39-mile walk in nine cities in the United States between April and October. Avon is also philanthropically involved in domestic violence prevention, famine victim relief, and orphan placement and care.

Resources

• Official Avon Site
• Avon Walk for Breast Cancer