Avon is quite a contradictory company – only it can sell both jewelry and toys, and only it, the company with $9.9 billion turnover, can still stick to door-to-door and catalogue sales, beside, only this company grants so much on the struggle against women’s health problems, in particular, breast cancer. Still, the strategy proves to be beneficial!

 Avon was founded in 1886 by David H. McConnell, who used perfumes when his work as a door-to-door seller to attract women and to make them buy his books, Soon the perfume appeared to be even better-sold than books, and McConnell founded his own company, first named California Perfume Company (CPC), and only in 1939 re-name Avon. In 1954 the famous advertising campaign “Avon Calling” was introduced and helped the company to climb the Everest of glory.

Today the company is mainly preoccupied with retailing perfumes, make-up, clothes, jewelry and toys. Though the majority of products are aimed at women, the two lines – Mark line (for the kids and teenagers) and M line (for men) – prove to be extremely profitable. The main secret is probably hidden in the personal approach to every client, executed by the Avon Ladies (the retail sellers, that have become extremely recognizable figures in America). Except door-to-doors selling, Avon also issues catalogues and executes post sellings. Only in the countries, where catalogue sells are prohibited (like in China, for instance), Avon can be seen in the shops. Nevertheless, the company operates in 140 countries worldwide, proving one more time, that treating a client personally is a great virtue.