Makeup brand Mary Kay to exit Australia
Cosmetics group Mary Kay has followed rival Avon out of the Australian market.
Global cosmetics and skincare brand Mary Kay has walked away from the Australia and New Zealand market, citing poor trading conditions for its decision to exit.
The decision follows a similar move by iconic American cosmetics group Avon, which shut up shop in Australia and New Zealand in 2018. Avon had 220 staff and more than 21,400 people selling its products in Australia.
While not as well known as Avon, Mary Kay had been in Australia since 1971.
Its demise reflects the incredibly tough trading conditions in Australia for discretionary retailers.
The Mary Kay Australia website has been shut down with a message saying the business was exiting the local market.
“It is a decision Mary Kay has not taken lightly, however a combination of market conditions across Australia and New Zealand are such that the business goes not see a sustainable future in either market. Mary Kay will be focusing on its core growth markets across the globe.”
Earlier this year global supermarket giant Kaufland decided to ditch its plans to launch in Australia and also said it would focus on other overseas markets.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will report on January retail sales figures later on Friday morning.
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