I'm a huge fan of The Art of Shaving. However, AOS only offers products for my facial and hair…read moreneeds (as well as barber services that are out of sight). Be that as it may, I am a fan of many of the Kiehl's products, too.
As many of you probably already know, Kiehl's was founded as a single pharmacy in New York City's East Village in 1851, and purchased by the L'Oréal Group in 2000. L'Oréal had pursued the purchase of the company for more than two years, but the real catalyst for a deal came when Kiehl's had difficulty handling the growing volume of orders due to the company's growing popularity. They currently have more than 30 retail stores worldwide, supplemented by sales in high-end department stores such as Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom. In contrast to its market competitors, Kiehl's is distinguished for its unorthodox marketing approach, exceptionally large male clientele base and its products' simple and straightforward packaging.
Compared to its competitors, Kiehl's states that it spends three to five more times on its upscale natural cosmetic products. At the same time, Kiehl's merchandise is "priced at the lower end of prestige skin care" while being distinguished for its simple and straightforward packing "which speaks to the old apothecary concept." To this day, Kiehl's signature products, such as its Blue Astringent, Creme de Corps and Original Musk Oil, continue to remain customer favorites.
To market its products, Kiehl's applies a non-traditional marketing approach that "relies heavily on free product samples, word of mouth endorsements from existing customers, and innovative marketing techniques."Particularly known for its generous sampling policy, "Kiehl's gave away more than 12 million samples a year, which represents 80 percent of their total marketing budget" according to Lynn Upshaw in Truth: The New Rules for Marketing in a Skeptical World. Upshaw writes, "The Kiehl's way of 'selling' is not to sell at all... They believe the products will do what they do and no hype will change that."Donations, most prominently in charity event gift bags, also attract customers."
Kiehl's also has a recycling program that allows the guest to bring empties to the store, where they are taken in exchange for stamps on a card. Get 10 stamps and you receive a full size product ($25 value) free.
I use their antiperspirant, and my companion uses many of their products. We stopped in today, using the 20% off coupon sent via email (a Friends and Family sale). Staff in this store is exceptionally knowledgable and friendly, welcoming and efficient. While I purchase Kiehl's products from my employer (as I always get 20% off with my associate discount and free shipping from my company's *.com end), using this store during events like this is absolutely on my list. Knowing now that they have a recycling program that rates me a free full sized product with every 10 empties turned in gives me all the more reason to put them aside.
It's a nicely appointed, but small store. There is no barber service on site (the flagship in NYC has a barber salon that, while I've not tried it, is rumored to be impressive). But if you're a fan of Kiehl's, you need to stop in.
Second floor, Nordstrom wing, directly above Lush Cosmetics. It's on the right as you're walking toward Nordies.
