I was at a party the other day and someone asked me what is the big difference between all the different types of stores that sell name brand cosmetics.
Some facts:
1. There is no difference in the quality or safety of name brand products sold at department stores vs. discount stores. Example: Elizabeth Arden products sold at The Bay are the same products sold at Costco.
2. Products sold at off market retailers are supplied by the same companies that supply regular market retailers. Example: Chanel products at Shoppers Drug Mart are sold by the same supplier that sells to Winners.
3. Discounted products are not expired, bad or in any way faulty. They usually are just overstock the supplier needs to get rid off quickly.
Main differences in shopping channels:
Department Stores – offer a higher level of expertise, personal service and always have the full range of products, by brand, available. Usually a department store will have some kind of exclusive offer unavailable anywhere else. The staff are better trained, usually.
Drug Store – staff are trained on every line offered so the expertise can be diluted and often the drug stores will only offer the best selling items from a line. Additionally the personal service is a slightly lower standard as the staff to customer ratio is small.
Big Box Discount Stores – no service and great deals. This is a good option to buy products you know and like but a poor one to try a new product that you are unfamiliar with.
Off Market – best prices but limited and inconsistent selection. Scoop deals when you see them but don’t expect to find your favourite product regularly. Off market retailers offer what they can, when they can and their supply chains change all the time.
Next week – I start a new series on all the hot new skincare items launched for Spring 2011 – what works, what does not, what to buy and what to avoid!
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