08.06.09
Japan
www.kose.co.jp
Sales: $1.8 billion
Key Personnel: Kazutoshi Kobayashi, president.
Major Products: Skin care, cosmetics and toiletries sold under the brand names of Cosme Decorte AQ, Beauté de Kosé, Awake, Jill Stuart, Infinity, Prédia, Esprique Precious, Grandaine, Visée, Sekkisei, Crie, Phil Naturnt, Stephen Knoll, Sekkisui, Junkisui, Fasio, Happy Bath Day, Elsia, Nature & Co., Softymo, Salon Style.
New Products: Addiction by Ayako makeup, Infinity skin care, Sekkisei Supreme skin care, Happy Bath Day Precious Rose, Nature & Co. skin care, Sotyimo Sara-Sara Powder Sheet.
Comments: For the year ended March 31, 2009, Kosé’s sales dropped 1.2% to $1.8 billion. Company officials pointed to lackluster consumer spending caused by the poor economy and the yen’s strength as the reasons for the decline.
Kosé hopes to make a big splash with its new department store cosmetics brand, Addiction, which was created by makeup artist Ayako Yoshimura. The line, which is targeted at career-driven, urban women, was unveiled in mid-July at retailer Isetan in Shinjuku, Tokyo, before rolling out to other stores in Kobe and Osaka. Kosé has created a dedicated website for the new line at www.addiction-beauty.com.