LAUDER DELAYS GLOSS LAUNCH
NEW YORK — Estee Lauder is taking its time to put a shine on its new multibrand Internet store at gloss.com.
The beauty giant said Thursday it is delaying the relaunch of gloss.com from this spring until fall, a timetable that will still allow the Web site to realize holiday business and give it some time for test runs this summer. Lauder officials said in a statement that the original launch schedule would have required “substantial resources above those initially projected. In light of the softness in the U.S. retail market, coupled with one of the company’s Internet objectives — to spend in line with the opportunity — the company believes its approach is the most prudent, both financially and strategically.”
The Web site at gloss.com is one component of a three-piece ‘Net strategy unfolding at The Estee Lauder Cos. Inc., a plan that also comprises nine branded Web sites, five of which offer e-commerce, as well as the development and coordination of specially designed retailers’ e-commerce microsites.
In other news Thursday, Lauder shaved its third-quarter sales projection to an increase of 8 to 9 percent over a year ago, on a constant-currency basis, from a prior estimate, sales would rise 8 to 10 percent for the period.