Quote:
Originally Posted by
Luca30
Here are some European sites; the problem with most of them is that, unlike the US ones, their prices are the retail ones. I haven't seen the discounts that the Americans are spoiled with. Also, if you compare the retail prices in the US with those in Europe, you'll see that the US ones are smaller; and thats ironic considering that almost every designer and niche frag is made in Europe.
http://webshop.skins.nl/xcart/home.php .........
Also, in case of most of the niche houses you can buy directly from their websites.
Well, what a bucket full of information! Thank you, Luca! I think for different historical reasons, all customers in Europe still behave like Cinderella not kissed awake yet. Too easily we accept fixed retail prices, while big buisiness exerts pressure to maintain their priviledges. Perfumes may be overpriced in the US, and they definitely are in Europe. Certain labels sell at peak prices in Switzerland (YSL, major Italian mass labels) while others may be lower here. On first glance, and big cities excluded, the variety offered seems to be equally miserable in Germany and Switzerland (Usually no Caron, Coty, Fragonard, Comme de G. except #2.). Is France the only country with Sephora chain stores. Nice place! Marrionaud France is better than they are in Switzerland, and a little cheaper. It is easier to pick older designer frags from shelves in France, at acceptable prices (Jules, Xerius, 3rd Homme).
European Niche Houses and major designers maintain headquarters on the East or West coast in the US. Whether or not they produce, or do any packaging there I do not know. We also do not know if and how much is produced in China these days. All the grey market Creeds, Chanels, etc. may be from excess, or defective production, and a lot of that is perhaps from east Asia, legally, or illegally sold by e-traders world wide. Both is possible. It might be interesting to follow up what three single products of one house sell at (regular, and effective prices) in various countries. There is no world market (price) for perfumes, and monopolies sell their products in various regions for what the local market 'gives' them (also drugs in Europe vis-a-vis Africa and Asia). I already mentioned Creed controlling which of their products may be sold in what country. Purpose: profit maximization by unfair practices. There is more than we suspect, I am afraid.
@fakepurseninja: I'll talk to GeschenkIdee about their chances to extend into Europe, maybe with a link
here! It's a serious outfit, perfume being just a section.
You all know
Manufactum (.de /.com /.uk etc. by now, don't you?) Just a few perfumes, but special ones for France, UK, wherever.
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