Avon to close French operations

Cosmetics giant Avon is planning to close its French operations by the end of the month, according to a report by BBC News. The US based direct sellers Parisian office is alleged to have said that only current orders will be guaranteed, and that it is unsure if its representatives will be able to get supplies after the end of October.

Avon is currently in the process of streamlining its business model and defining its optimal geographic footprint, and in the last 12 months has pulled out of countries including South Korea, Vietnam and Ireland, while also divesting its Silpada Designs jewellery business.

Avon employs 120 staff in Paris, who support approximately 11,000 representatives.

In the second quarter of 2013, Avon reported a 2% decrease in total revenue, which was (nevertheless) an improvement on analysts expectations; the company will reveal its Q3 2013 earnings on 31 October.