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Why is M.A.C. discontinuing so many good products? - Page 2

post #31 of 60
1/21/09 at 11:30pm

Re: Why is M.A.C. discontinuing so many good products?

Have you guys checked out the new mac website? The whole thing has been revamped and there's a page where u can search for discontinued items. It's neat cause I found the dazzleglasses on there. it's the same ol' M·A·C Cosmetics | Offering a large selection of makeup, skin care products, and nail care items. Also offering cosmetic accessories but it looks hot!
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post #32 of 60
1/23/09 at 12:43am

Re: Why is M.A.C. discontinuing so many good products?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jmoore8018 View Post
Have you guys checked out the new mac website? The whole thing has been revamped and there's a page where u can search for discontinued items. It's neat cause I found the dazzleglasses on there. it's the same ol' M·A·C Cosmetics | Offering a large selection of makeup, skin care products, and nail care items. Also offering cosmetic accessories but it looks hot!
There is a whole thread about it here,lol.
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post #33 of 60
1/23/09 at 12:48am

Re: Why is M.A.C. discontinuing so many good products?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cuteymcpretty View Post
the shadesticks and lacquers have never been popular, although i do love fanplastico and poco pink, ill just stock up
Do you have issues with your Fanplastico ozzing all over? I have taken it out and cleaned the rim and wand and still it wants out. I am afraid to take it anywhere. But I do love the color and texture!
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post #34 of 60
1/27/09 at 4:40pm

Re: Why is M.A.C. discontinuing so many good products?

thats odd, i mean if its so popular. you would think that they keep it instead of discontinueing it >___<
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post #35 of 60
1/28/09 at 2:29am

Re: Why is M.A.C. discontinuing so many good products?

I don't understand either, I just don't understand. MAC seems to be discontinuing all my favorite items, it's frustrating me!
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post #36 of 60
1/28/09 at 5:22am

Re: Why is M.A.C. discontinuing so many good products?

What is popular on Specktra is definitely not the same as what is popular in the consumer world as a whole. If it's not a big seller in the real world then it's dead wood and will be discontinued.

Besides, think of DC items as just creating space for new, innovative colours and products to fill their place.
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post #37 of 60
1/30/09 at 6:02pm

Re: Why is M.A.C. discontinuing so many good products?

OK so I don't work in makeup but I do work in consumer goods, and it's part of my job to help recommend product deletions. As some have already mentioned, sales, having enough space and availability of ingredients/components are key factors, but there are other elements to the art of deleting products as well :-P Here are a few:


1. Profitability. Sometimes rising costs of certain ingredients/components will impact the bottom line, making items less desirable to keep on. Sometimes if this is the case, the product will be replaced with a newer more "innovative" version so the company can charge more for it (just like how Paint Pots are more expensive per gram than Paints, and Dazzleglasses more expensive than Lustreglasses).

2. Other Deletions. Sometimes when you delete one item, you have no choice but to delete others. For example, if you are no longer making a Product A, then you are buying less of a certain ingredient that goes into Products A & B, and so the cost of that ingredient goes up (because you're no longer buying it in as much bulk). Therefore it becomes unviable to make Product B.

3. Strategic Fit. Sometimes items are discontinued because they are no longer a strategic part of the product portfolio. Let's say that MAC thinks mineral makeup has some serious growth potential and so introduces new mineral products (which seems to be the case). Other products with slower growth and which are no longer key to the strategic direction of the brand may be deleted to make room. Usually it's the brand manager(s) who will identify which strategic areas they want to focus on.

4. Innovation. Making room for new product innovation (e.g. new lines) or renovation (e.g. new colours of existing lines) is very important in order to keep consumers interested & maintain a point of difference vs other brands, especially since other companies are launching new products all the time.

Anyway, I think it's important to remember that one reason why MAC is a great company is that it has such fantastic product innovation (but that comes at a price in terms of constantly deleting items). A company can't please every consumer in terms of keeping on ALL their products forever - and having fewer items usually reduces overall costs, and means the company can be more focused on doing certain things well, rather than everything.
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post #38 of 60
2/3/09 at 4:33am

Re: Why is M.A.C. discontinuing so many good products?

It is great to point out why companies discontinue great products. As consumers it can be VERY frustrating but we sometimes do not think of all the reasons companies make such decisions.

I was upset by the MAC Dress Camp collection exclusivity and also the LE California Dreamin' lipstick offered to CA residents only. As a devoted buyer of MAC for years both were a slap in the face to me. I eventually got over it though and still continue to purchase due to the fact that I am in love with so many of their products. Just like any relationship you get over it!

I have to admit I have felt very frustrated with a lot of my favorite products being LE. However it is nice to know MAC offers a "Gone but Not Forgotten" program. It keeps the hope alive! I always hope to see some really awesome products come back!

I am really looking forward to the collections of 2009. I am ready for some TRUE excitement!! From what I have been reading it looks like some really great launches coming up.

I am still on the hunt for AfterDusk. I really wanted that blush to add to my collection. Sometimes I could kick myself for a lot of the items I passed on. This year I am definitely going for what my heart desires!! (part-time job here I come)
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post #39 of 60
4/3/11 at 6:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by anita22 View Post

OK so I don't work in makeup but I do work in consumer goods, and it's part of my job to help recommend product deletions. As some have already mentioned, sales, having enough space and availability of ingredients/components are key factors, but there are other elements to the art of deleting products as well :-P Here are a few:


1. Profitability. Sometimes rising costs of certain ingredients/components will impact the bottom line, making items less desirable to keep on. Sometimes if this is the case, the product will be replaced with a newer more "innovative" version so the company can charge more for it (just like how Paint Pots are more expensive per gram than Paints, and Dazzleglasses more expensive than Lustreglasses).

2. Other Deletions. Sometimes when you delete one item, you have no choice but to delete others. For example, if you are no longer making a Product A, then you are buying less of a certain ingredient that goes into Products A & B, and so the cost of that ingredient goes up (because you're no longer buying it in as much bulk). Therefore it becomes unviable to make Product B.

3. Strategic Fit. Sometimes items are discontinued because they are no longer a strategic part of the product portfolio. Let's say that MAC thinks mineral makeup has some serious growth potential and so introduces new mineral products (which seems to be the case). Other products with slower growth and which are no longer key to the strategic direction of the brand may be deleted to make room. Usually it's the brand manager(s) who will identify which strategic areas they want to focus on.

4. Innovation. Making room for new product innovation (e.g. new lines) or renovation (e.g. new colours of existing lines) is very important in order to keep consumers interested & maintain a point of difference vs other brands, especially since other companies are launching new products all the time.

Anyway, I think it's important to remember that one reason why MAC is a great company is that it has such fantastic product innovation (but that comes at a price in terms of constantly deleting items). A company can't please every consumer in terms of keeping on ALL their products forever - and having fewer items usually reduces overall costs, and means the company can be more focused on doing certain things well, rather than everything.

So TRUE. I know we all get upset when our favorite products are disco'd or we stockpile LE items, but MAC bases itself as being a trend based makeup company and with that being said, there is no way it could continue to produce new, innovative products based on F/W & S/S collections and not phase out products that aren't viable.

Another reason for products being disco'd is advances in makeup technology. Funny to say but this is actually a big deal at the moment - MAC has being trying to remove parabens out of their makeup for the past few years and this is a reason why some foundations (or other emollient based makeup) have hit the chopping block.
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post #40 of 60
4/3/11 at 6:07pm

^ good job!

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post #41 of 60
6/29/11 at 2:05am

It is especially frustrating if you just started collecting and you have no real chance of getting those oldies-but-goodies.

The same goes for LE items from old collections

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post #42 of 60
7/9/11 at 10:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BunnyBunnyBunny View Post

As a MAC retail artist, we are generally not given rhymes or reasons. We are just sent a list every once and a while with the things that are being discontinued and things that we need to return to the vendor. Often we have to guess as to why they're being taken away, like assuming because we didn't sell enough X item, it's being axed. We never really know unless there is a specific note.

And what we are trained to do with customers is always inform them of our still permanent products as well as new collections, and make sure to tell them that while that specific product is gone, there is always something fairly similar here or coming soon. Makeup is meant to be everchanging, and even though sometimes it's difficult to get out of bad habits, one can find something new that they like. You know what I mean?



I love it that you said this, so true

 

Makeup is meant to be everchanging

 

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post #43 of 60
7/20/11 at 9:43am

Mac is discontinuing certain items to make way for new and improved items. Mac is moving in the direction of makeup that has more longevity or 'long lasting' qualities. We are coming out with new permanent shadows, lip liners, and lip glosses that are all very long lasting this fall. The products are amazing!! And they are permanent to the line!!

 

Mac is also starting to slowly introduce more treatment skincare products to the line; the newest being our lash growth serum!

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post #44 of 60
7/21/11 at 9:07am

completely agree with you glitterkitten, one thing is a bit of sparkle but the glitter everywhere is just overdone!

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post #45 of 60
7/21/11 at 9:39am
Are cream colour bases being discontinued? I use Luna or shell everyday!
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post #46 of 60
7/21/11 at 9:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Edelmc View Post

Are cream colour bases being discontinued? I use Luna or shell everyday!


I don't think so. Certain colors will be discontinued (from LE collex), but not the perms. Luna is a classic.

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post #47 of 60
8/21/11 at 7:20pm

Innovation, number of available skus, product similarity, and the many other things listed here are all reasons products get discontinued.  I'll add another one--MAC releases a lot of new collections.  More now than ever before.  The hype machine can't roll fast enough for them, not even with Specktra and bloggers leading the charge.  MAC has been experimenting off an on with discontinuing a very popular item only to bring it back later in limited or launch form, which spikes sales...particularly from the hoarders.  Turquatic was one of the top 100 skus company wide and they discontinued it for the sole purpose of relaunching it and jump-starting the buzz.

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post #48 of 60
9/10/11 at 10:29pm
I miss the old products reading all these posts, I used to steal them from my mom. I practiced my spelling on them while i watched her do her makeup(:
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post #49 of 60
10/4/11 at 7:39pm

lets just hope this means they are going to bring in even better products.

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post #50 of 60
10/24/11 at 6:24pm

i Just contacted MAC because i didnt see the 222 online & they are discontinuing it IM SO UPSET =(

 

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post #51 of 60
10/24/11 at 8:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephy171 View Post

i Just contacted MAC because i didnt see the 222 online & they are discontinuing it IM SO UPSET =(

 



You might have to hurry up and hit up Nordstrom.com. I see it's still there.

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post #52 of 60
10/27/11 at 4:25pm

222 as well? i really don't understand the point in discontinuing the brushes...I just don't. Some products maybe but brushes? I feel like they're just doing it, to later repromote and have people obsessing like with 226.

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post #53 of 60
10/27/11 at 4:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nightingails View Post

222 as well? i really don't understand the point in discontinuing the brushes...I just don't. Some products maybe but brushes? I feel like they're just doing it, to later repromote and have people obsessing like with 226.



Well, it's a clever marketing strategy that works very well. When a product is eventually re-released, people start to hoard it whereas when it is perm, nobody really cares.

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post #54 of 60
11/1/11 at 2:22am

I have 224 and 226 but for me 222 is the best! It seems that people don't appreciate perm products... Another example, I am new to MSFs, it wasn't until this year I got my first one, I have 6 so far, 5 LE, one perm, (Soft and Gentle) and the perm is my favourite. When I told a friend whos is obsessed with MSF's and has every single that was released in the last 3 years, she told me she never bothered with that, because is perm...

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post #55 of 60
11/1/11 at 9:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Romina1 View Post

I have 224 and 226 but for me 222 is the best! It seems that people don't appreciate perm products... Another example, I am new to MSFs, it wasn't until this year I got my first one, I have 6 so far, 5 LE, one perm, (Soft and Gentle) and the perm is my favourite. When I told a friend whos is obsessed with MSF's and has every single that was released in the last 3 years, she told me she never bothered with that, because is perm...



It's the same with Styledriven. The quality of the e/s is outstanding IMO, but nobody buys as they are perm. Go figure.

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post #56 of 60
2/15/12 at 9:46pm

does anyone know where I can find a list of the eyeshadows being discontinued? sorry I'm new!

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post #57 of 60
10/14/12 at 3:10pm

Someone once told me that they discontinue these products because the ingredients that make up the one product is too expensive to make or difficult to process.  Not sure if it's a load of crap, but it sounds logical to me.  :)

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post #58 of 60
1/20/13 at 10:26pm
I'm very sad that they disc. The lip conditioner pot. The clear one as my favorite lip balm thankfully I got 2 more before they went out. Why???? ssad.gif
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post #59 of 60
1/21/13 at 2:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by EmbalmerBabe View Post

I'm very sad that they disc. The lip conditioner pot. The clear one as my favorite lip balm thankfully I got 2 more before they went out. Why???? ssad.gif

 

They will probably revamp it.

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post #60 of 60
2/4/13 at 2:39pm

I hate it when a cosmetic company discontinues a product you have fallen in love with.

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