Avon celebrates 125 years today

Published: 15-Sep-2011

Brochure now said to be most widely read publication in the world

Avon today celebrates its 125th anniversary. This day in 1886 David H McConnell founded the pioneering beauty company in New York. Starting with a simple line of five floral fragrances, Avon is now the world’s largest direct seller and creates and evaluates nearly 1,000 cosmetic, fragrance and toiletry products every year.

One of Avon’s leading ladies, Amanda Garrett, marks the day by stepping out on her 1,000th round. Garrett has run her own Avon business for 16 years and reckons to have sold over 2,500 lipsticks and 1,500 bottles of perfume, covering almost 7,000 miles to deliver brochures and products to customers, friends, family and neighbours.

Liz Garrett

Liz Garrett

At the other end of the scale, 19 year old student and Avon representative Lauren Moulsley will be delivering Avon brochures around her campus at Bournemouth University.

Avon says it has 6.5 million independent representatives, selling over 3.5 billion products a year to 300 million customers in over 100 countries around the world. The company also believes its brochure is now the most widely read publication in the world.
  • Companies:
  • Avon Products
See more

You may also like

You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Hair Care

Year in review: 2024’s top beauty stories and highlights

Read more
A look at the beauty industry news stories that dominated this year, covering bankruptcy, legal woes and a celeb hair care boom

Trending Articles

  1. Seen snaps up former Ulta Beauty boss as Chief Marketing Officer Linh Peters previously served as Head of Loyalty Marketing and Strategy at Ulta Beauty, overseeing the US beauty retailer’s loyalty programme and personalisation engine
  2. L'Oréal, LVMH and Luxottica named preferred buyers of Giorgio Armani empire The late Italian fashion designer has given purchasing priority to L'Oréal, along with LVMH, owned by the world’s richest man, Arnault Bernard, and eyewear brand Luxottica
  3. Glossier names Colin Walsh CEO as it aims to become ‘a true legacy brand’ Walsh, who has previously helmed the beauty divisions of Ouai and Procter & Gamble, will join the beauty company in October
  4. You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
    Click here to find out more.
    Maison Francis Kurkdjian turns heads with new $28,000 bottle of Baccarat Rouge 540 The fragrance giant has shocked consumers with its latest launch. Only 54 bottles of new Baccarat Rouge 540 Édition Millésime will be created each year, housed in a red crystal bottle with a 24-carat gold cap
  5. La Roche-Posay lands Law Roach for punny partnership marking 50th anniversary The L’Oréal-owned skin care brand has brought in the celebrity stylist alongside a cast of experts and creators for its ‘Brand Name’ Campaign in an attempt to connect with younger generations

Upcoming event

13th Annual Beauty Trends & Innovations Conference

24 September 2025 | London, UK See all

You may also like

You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Hair Care

Year in review: 2024’s top beauty stories and highlights

A look at the beauty industry news stories that dominated this year, covering bankruptcy, legal woes and a celeb hair care boom
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Finance

Avon is in a reputational crisis. Can the beauty giant be saved?

Avon Products filed for Chapter 11 in August, as it attempts to offload over US$1.3bn in debt related to talcum powder cancer lawsuits
Finance

Avon files for bankruptcy amid talc powder cancer allegations

Natura, which acquired Avon in 2020, has agreed to repurchase Avon’s operations in Europe, Asia and Latin America for $125m
Manufacturing

Avon to bring AI into supply chain

The beauty company has inked a deal with software player Blue Yonder to help streamline operations
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Retail

Exclusive: Avon's new CEO on franchise stores, social selling and what it means for reps

CEO Kristof Neirynck lifts the lid on phase two of the beauty giant’s transformation plan, which includes social selling, franchise stores and more
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Colour Cosmetics

The beauty businesses risking it all on a rebrand

The number of beauty brands rebranding themselves has been on the rise in recent years. But are the risks of reimaging a business worth it in the long run?
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Hair Care

Cosmetics Business Picks: 8 new beauty picks to know this week

Cosmetics Business has rounded up eight new hair, fragrance and skin care launches which have caught our attention this week
Subscribe now