Indiantelevision.com Team

(12 September 2007 9:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Direct seller of skin care and colour cosmetics Mary Kay Inc has launched its new subsidiary in India under the banner of Mary Kay Cosmetics Pvt Ltd.

The privately held company will invest $20 million in the country over the next five years with the first phase of the launch being focused out of New Delhi, Chandigarh and Ludhiana.

India's addition to the company's international portfolio takes the company's overall reach to over 30 markets worldwide.

"We anticipate generating the same success in India that we are experiencing in other Asia-Pacific markets," said Mary Kay Asia Pacific president K K Chua. "We now have more than 3,50,000 Mary Kay independent beauty consultants in the region. It is very rewarding to watch the dream launched nearly 45 years ago by company founder Mary Kay Ash continue to enrich the lives of women and their families around the world."

Mary Kay Cosmetics Pvt. Ltd. will be led by country manager Hina Nagarajan, who has previously worked with consumer product companies, including ICI Paints and Nestle India Ltd.

Nagarajan said, "We're very excited about the opportunity to introduce Mary Kay's premium skin care and color cosmetics products to the women of India. Women who want to be their own boss and own their own Mary Kay business will purchase Mary Kay products direct from the company at wholesale, then sell the products to their customers at retail, keeping the difference. Members of Mary Kay's subsidiary in India may also decide to share the business opportunity with others, which can add to their success."

Mary Kay's India headquarters will be located in Gurgaon, and the company plans to open its first beauty center at Saket in New Delhi. At launch, the Mary Kay product lines will feature more than 60 high-quality skin care and color cosmetics products, with additional products planned in early 2008.

According to an official release, the company generated an approximate $2.25 billion in wholesale revenue in 2006. It's top three international markets include China, Mexico and Russia.

In addition to India, Mary Kay's Asia-Pacific markets include Australia, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines and Taiwan.