California Perfume Company was founded in 1886 as a direct selling company of highest quality beauty and household products.
In 1897, McConnell built the California Perfume Company's first factory in Suffern, New York, which was conveniently located alongside railroad tracks for easy access to ship his products.
Its first five fragrances were distinct and simply named: Violet, White Rose, Heliotrope, Lily of the Valley, and Hyacinth.
California Perfume Company sold directly to the consumer through a national network of sales representatives, primarily women, who were looking for economic opportunity and flexible part-time employment. The representatives were independent contractors, who sold California Perfume Company products within their assigned territory and received a percentage of their sales.
As the firm grew, so did the product line. In 1920, the company introduced a line of products called Avon that consisted of a toothbrush, cleanser, and vanity set.
The Avon name was inspired by the area about the company’s laboratory at Suffern, New York, which Mr. McConnell thought resembled the countryside of William Shakespeare’s home, Stratford-on Avon, England.
California Perfume Company was officially renamed Avon Products, Inc., in 1939 to reflect the company's identification with its popular cosmetics and toiletry lines.
The name of the line became so popular that in 1929, the company officially became Avon. By 1929, the company was selling low-cost home care and beauty products, door-to-door and through catalogues in all 48 states.
In the post-World War Il period, the company grew to world-wide leadership in sales volume, despite the rapid growth of the competition and despite the intensive use of other selling methods.
The world’s developing markets have been driving Avon’s financial performance. The company has entered 18 new markets since 1990.
History of Avon Products
