TOP NOTES
WELLA’S RISE: In the year 2000, the Wella Group racked up the fastest rise in sales in over 20 years, the German hair care giant said. Preliminary, unaudited figures for 2000 consolidated sales rose by 19 percent to $2.6 billion, while earnings before interest and taxes rose at a slightly faster pace. (All dollar figures are converted from the euro at current exchange rates.)
All business divisions contributed to the strong results. Wella’s worldwide hair care business moved ahead 17 percent, with the professional sector advancing 19 percent and the retail sector up 14 percent. The group’s fragrances and cosmetics business made bigger gains, with sales up almost 28 percent compared to 1999.
IFF THROWS CTFA BASH: International Flavors and Fragrances will sponsor a “South Beach” style party at the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association’s annual meeting at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. Scheduled for Friday, March 2, IFF has tapped party planner Robert Isabell to help with the details. The plan is to transform the resort’s Great Hall North into a “lavish nightclub,” according to IFF.
SKINLIGHTS AT SUNDANCE: Revlon set up shop in the middle of Main Street during the Sundance Film Festival this week to give makeovers and sample its new Skinlights face illuminators collection. Revlon senior vice president Cheryl Vitali, who flew in and out Tuesday to check on things, was thrilled with the traffic. Who stopped by? Julianne Moore, Christine Lahti, Patrick Swayze, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe and others.