Always expect the unexpected. It’s a motto that’s cropped up often in the beauty industry during the last few months.

First Coty made repeated unsolicited bids to acquire Avon, presumably banking on the global direct seller to quickly open the door for the world’s largest fragrance company’s entry into new world markets. When those takeover attempts were rejected, Coty advanced in another direction, filing for a $700 million IPO.

Then came news that Elizabeth Arden was apparently focused on giving Coty a run for the money. The prestige beauty company that had achieved chart-busting success with last year’s launch from recording artist Taylor Swift spritzed its way into several new promising deals. At the end of May, Arden acquired the global fragrance licenses of Ed Hardy, True Religion and BCBG Max Azria from New Wave Fragrances LLC. Just a couple of weeks later, Arden took hold of powerhouse Justin Bieber’s license, along with that of Nicki Minaj—both from Give Back Brands—just in time for the pop stars’ highly anticipated new fragrance reveals.

Of course key to many of these perfume success stories is the innovative packaging that suppliers have developed to grab consumers’ interest. Just turn to page 88 for a review of the 2012 FiFi awards and an inspiring look at packaging creativity in the fragrance industry.

But new techniques in packaging technology run the gamut, and this issue also showcases some of the latest advances in Caps & Closures (p. 16), Stock Packaging (p. 22) and Cartons (p. 30). Our multiple in-depth reviews following this spring’s industry trade show bonanza—Luxe Pack NY, HBA and MakeUp in Paris—also provide plenty of packaging and product food-for-thought.

For an overview of all leading suppliers in the beauty packaging industry, this issue features our much-anticipated annual International Buyers’ Guide (p. 48)—your must-have, year-long purchasing reference. The almost 300 participating companies constantly update their info in the online version (nitesh_bp.rodpub.com), so check it often. And remember, in addition to reliably finding what you’re looking for—always expect the unexpected.
We hope you enjoy this content-packed issue,

Jamie Matusow
[email protected]