France To Cosmetics Companies: Get Online Or Else!

from the it's-the-21st-century dept

Wed, Nov 29th 2006 1:23pm — Joseph Weisenthal

It's the time of the year when we're inundated with stories about online shopping, as if it were still this totally new phenomenon that warrants special attention. That being said, there are apparently several holdouts from the trend, as some companies have taken aggressive moves to prevent their products from being sold online. In France, ten cosmetics companies have reached a deal with the government, agreeing to become more flexible about internet sales. French regulators had accused these companies of "distorting the market" by restricting how their products could be sold. The reasons for not wanting to sell online aren't completely clear. It seems in some cases that it has to do with maintaining the mystique and aura of the brand. In any event, these companies should be able to come to any agreement with distributors that they want. If they insist on only physical sales, and that's what the retailer wants, then it doesn't seem like a problem. Making the whole discussion even sillier, is that there's nothing preventing another party from acquiring this merchandise, and then going on and selling it how they like, assuming the right of first sale were respected. It would be a different matter if, say, a large retail firm were telling its suppliers that they couldn't let their products get sold online, as Wal-Mart's done with DVD sales, pressuring Hollywood studios not to make their films available for download. Even this action might not warrant government intervention, but it's a lot closer to the market distortion that has the French so worried.

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12 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 29 Nov 2006 @ 1:46pm

Its OK... its FRENCH tax payer money
If it were US tax-payer money, I would be pissed.

Good things its the french wasting their money on such futile efforts.
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dorpus, 29 Nov 2006 @ 1:51pm

Forbidden Ingredients
It's because high-end cosmetics contain whale bile, human fetus cells, mercury, and other ingredients that would raise eyebrows among the masses. Sales clerks receive advanced psychology training from cosmetic companies to hypnotize rich women in the store, so the womens' eyes swirl green and orange, and they are brainwashed into buying anything.
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Aaron, 29 Nov 2006 @ 4:32pm

Maybe...
I believe it may have more to do with their traditional sales channels... People...
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FRENCH, 29 Nov 2006 @ 5:16pm

STUPID
DUMB FROGS
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Nov 2006 @ 6:34pm

The French don't bathe last time I checked. So why would anyone want to buy the prefume? Odd I would stay away from it.
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- r, 20 Jan 2007 @ 1:21pm
  
  Re: purchasing
  Dear Sir,
  I AM A DIRECTOR IN R.KK COSMETICS COMPANY,AND WE HAVE SHORTAGE OF COSMETICS SO WE NEED A COMPETENT COMPANY WHO CAN SUPPLY US A QUALITY COSMETICS.
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Jack, 29 Nov 2006 @ 11:06pm

Protecting their product from discounters
I believe they are simply trying to protect their product from discounters. And, hey, this occurs in the US, too.

Even seen a sale price on a major cosmetic or perfume? Doesn't happen in the US. Yep, no discounts.
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mousepaw, 30 Nov 2006 @ 6:39am

Weird
It seems odd that a company wouldn't want to sell on-line but hey, if that's the way they want it, that's how it should be.
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ROBERT KANKAM, 20 Jan 2007 @ 1:20pm

purchasing
Dear Sir,
I AM A DIRECTOR IN R.KK COSMETICS COMPANY,AND WE HAVE SHORTAGE OF COSMETICS SO WE NEED A COMPETENT COMPANY WHO CAN SUPPLY US A QUALITY COSMETICS.
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ROBERT KANKAM, 13 Feb 2008 @ 5:50am

PURCHASING
Dear Sir,
Iam manager of SET SETTAL ENTERPRISE,our company deal with COSMETICS,So as at now our company have SHORTAGE COSMETICS c,so we need a company
who can supply us a quality cosmetics with a reasonable price.
So you should let me hear from you as soon as possible.
Regards
ROBERT/JABBI
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Laura Myers, 29 Oct 2011 @ 5:12am

Wholesale Skincare
I need a company in France interested in buying our skincare wholesale. We are a Paraben Free Company.
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ganapathy, 1 Sep 2015 @ 9:45pm

Your information is very useful for us about cosmetics online shopping.
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