L'Oréal Pulls the Plug on Shu Uemura in the U.S.
Shu Uemura's colorful eye shadows. Photo: Shuuemura-usa.com
If you prefer to buy these in person, better stock up now. Today's WWD reports that Shu Uemura Cosmetics will close all U.S. operations. L'Oréal U.S.A., which took a 20 percent stake in the company in 2000, has decided to focus on its bigger luxury brands with greater presence in U.S. markets.
Carol Hamilton, president of L'Oréal USA's Luxury Division explained: "We love the brand, but it is a very small part of our portfolio."
"It's a simple decision after a very complex analysis: we have a very large portfolio, and we want to focus on growing the brands which have a larger presence in the U.S. market."
WWD reported that Shu Uemura may be purchased in 18 countries and that it does about 80 percent of its business in Asia. Over the next few months, L'Oréal will pull the product from all of its retail doors (Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys New York, Sephora, etc.), as well as closing the four freestanding Shu Uemura stores.
Makeup artists country-wide will be up in arms, as the eyelash curler is an industry favorite, adored by professionals for the perfect curl it gives lashes.
The products will continue to be available via the brand's website, going forward.
Filed under: Beauty, News, Makeup, Skin & Body
Tags: loreal, shu uemura, shu uemura eyelash curler, ShuUemura, ShuUemuraEyelashCurler
Tags: loreal, shu uemura, shu uemura eyelash curler, ShuUemura, ShuUemuraEyelashCurler
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Shoefly, 3-30-2010, 1:18PM
Oh NO -- this is such a shame! Uemura has terrific eye products. Not every brand has to be giant, L'Oreal -- let the smaller brands have some shelf space too!
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