INDUSTRY INFORMATION

A page from the February 2006 report

INDUSTRY INFORMATION

SOURCE	BRAND	COMMENTS
The Rose Sheets	Nanoparticle Research Outlined in UK Report	Further information is needed regarding dermal uptake, penetration and toxicity of nanoparticles in consumer products, according the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.  The report seeks to characterize “the potential risks posed by engineered nanoparticles” and outlines 19 research objectives to fill the current information gap, DEFRA noted. The UK group is one of several of regulatory agencies and committees currently evaluating nanotechnology safety.  The European Commission Health & Consumer Protection Directorate General announced Oct. 20th it was seeking comments of current nanotech risk assessment methods and suggested improvements.
	BORBA Skincare	BORBA, which was founded in 2004 by Scott Vincent Borba, markets topical skin and body care products, in addition to nutraceuticals, in department and specialty stores.  The company launched 16 topical skincare products in October, which address the majority of consumer’s skincare needs and link directly to the ingredients within our internal products. The cosmeceutical ranges are formulated with the brands Fiber-Knit Technology, which represents “an entirely new approach to skin improvement”.  There is a “synergy between specific types of fabric and specific skin concerns.”  Fiber-Knit Technology “literally surrounds skin with nutrient-infused ingredients and cosmeceutical-grade fibers” and offers a “natural, web-like protection…to aid as a delivery system, allowing active ingredients to penetrate and significantly improve skin’s deepest epidermal layers.” The topical lineup includes three facial care lines, each comprising cleanser, concentrate, eye rejuvenator and day and nighttime moisturizers.  Clarifying Cosmeceuticals are formulated with cotton fibers, as well as Walnut and Pomegranate Extracts and Vitamin E.  Age Defying Cosmeceuticals contain the firming fiber elastin, in addition to Heptapeptide 1, Retinyl Palmitate, Acai Extract and Vitamin C.  Replenishing products are developed with Silk, Retinyl Palmitate, Lychee and Ginko Biloba Extract to hydrate. In addition, two body care formulas are offered under the Firming Cosmeceuticals line, which contain Spandex, Soybean Extract, Green Tea and Collagen Pre-Peptide.  The cosmeceuticals range in price from $30 for Clarifying Facial Cleanser to $75 for Age Defying Night Repair Emulsion.  BORBA is positioned to appeal primarily to women ages 18-25 that are seeking preventive skincare.  However, the products are unisex aiming to capture the “alternative and metrosexual male
	Altaire Debuts in BJ’s Wholesale As High Quality, Affordable Skincare	Altaire skincare is expected to generate more than $1 mil. in first year sales, according to BJ’s, where the line will be distributed exclusively.  The collection, which was developed by Orlane marketer Kelemata Group is available now in BJ’s 159-club network. The launch is part of BJ’s strategy to ramp up its skincare business, which currently comprises 16% of the retailer’s beauty care category, and tap into the growing market for innovative, high technology formulas.  Positioned as an “upscale beauty regimen that is comparable to the very best luxury brands in the marketplace at an affordable price,” the collection is targeted to “on the go” women ages 35-55, who shop at BJ’s. The six-SKU lineup includes Cream Cleanser, which “gently eliminates makeup and impurities while hydrating the skin” and Firming Facial Toner.  Youth Vitamin Day Cream “hydrates, repairs & revitalizes the skin” and Repairing Night Cream “protects against toxin build-up while energizing the skin.”  Ageless Firming Serum “soothes skin and restores radiance” and Time Fighting Eye Cream “prevents and diminishes the appearance of dark circles and puffiness”. Products are formulated with Vitamin A to help repair and stimulate cellular regeneration, Vitamin E to protect the skin from harsh environmental factors, Vitamin B5, which “regenerates the skins surface,” Vitamin C to energize and Vegetable DNA to stimulate “the renewal of young cells”. Items retail from $12.99 to $24.99.  The company also will offer a set containing trial sizes of each item for $12.99.  In-Store efforts will include endcap displays and sampling, BJ’s additionally is developing a video demo to help educate customers on the line.
Wallpaper Magazine	Gurwitch Products	Laura Mercier marketer Gurwitch Products LLC will explore “various strategic alternatives” including recapitalization or possible sale of the company, firm announced Dec. 9.  “We are reviewing many global opportunities to continue to grow our business,” Gurwitch Products CEO Janet Gurwitch notes.  Investment banking firm Fananco, Inc. will assist the 10-year old company, Gurwitch adds.
	ZO1 Sunscreen	This revolutionary skincare range, which uses ultra-miconised clear zinc, is streets ahead of the competition.  ZO1 was the first company to break down particles of zinc oxide (the safest UV-inhibitor) to a million times smaller than a millimeter, effectively making them invisible.  Which means that we can get all the great sun protection those snazzy snowboarders have, but without looking as if we are about to go into a bottle.
WWD	Natura Bisse Hits Location Jackpot	Enter Natura Bisse, the 26-year-old Spanish skincare brand that recently moved to Bergdorf Goodman’s most coveted space located in its basement beauty floor: The heavily trafficked area adjacent to the escalator.  A smooth-talking Natura Bisse salesperson now has the opportunity to lure descendants of the escalator to its counter before women get the chance to pursue the dozens of other beauty brands sold throughout the floor; most notably Erno Laszlo who formerly occupied the area. Natura Bisse earned the spot the old fashioned way.  Sales of its creams and masks within Bergdorf’s went form $175,000 to almost $1 million in 18 months.  Monthly sales hover at $90,000 in Bergdorf’s, up from $20,000 in the same time period.  With about 92 high-performance luxuriously positioned items form 12 lines, Natura Bisse USA estimates it ended 2005 with $8.5 million in wholesale sales, a 27% jump over last year.  In the US Natura Bisse is sold in 95 stores, including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Barney’s New York.