Orange County Register

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. announced Thursday that it will close the global wholesale distribution of its 30-year-old Prescriptives brand by Jan. 31, 2010.

The brand plans to continue to sell online for U.S. shipping at www.prescriptives.com, while inventory lasts.

The company said: “A core component of The Estée Lauder Companies’ corporate strategy is to evaluate, and where possible, turn around underperforming brands with the goal of improving return on investment. After a thorough analysis of the Prescriptives brand, management concluded that the brand’s long term business model is no longer viable given the current market environment. The company is committed to placing as many impacted employees as possible in open positions within the company.”

Prescriptives, introduced in 1979, is distributed in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. In Orange County, Prescriptives is sold at the Macy’s and Nordstroms at Westfield MainPlace in Santa Ana, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and Brea Mall; Macy’s at Westminster Mall; and Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, according to its Web site.

Estee Lauder says “Prescriptives focuses on delivering flawless-looking skin—for all skins, from lightest to darkest. Signature services include the ultra-personalized artistry of Custom Blend Makeup and complimentary Colorprinting, which leads the customer to her exact match foundation and customizable color cosmetics. Prescriptives also features a personalized skin care regime for all skins.”

In addition to its namesake brand, Estee Lauder Companies also owns Clinique, Mac, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Aveda and Jo Malone.

More from OC Retail:

• Kohl’s gives opening date for 4 O.C. Mervyn’s stores
• South Coast Plaza gives closing date for store
• Movie-rental chain to close up to 960 stores
• Toy retailer to open 5 O.C. stores
• 100-plus O.C. store closures in past year
• Big drugstore chain opens another O.C. store
• Sears closes O.C. store
• Family may reopen Mervyn’s stores
• Pottery Barn closes O.C. store
• $35 movie ticket may be coming to O.C.
• Firm with 7 O.C. stores addresses bankruptcy speculation
• South Coast Plaza retailer reportedly may file for bankruptcy
• Toy company files for bankruptcy
• The Block’s new stores and future

For more from OC Retail, see list of links on the right-hand side of this blog.

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