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NEW YORK -- The duo behind Pantina -- a new mass-market cosmetics brand -- are smiling so much these days, their cheeks hurt. Their bout of acute cheerfulness began three weeks ago when the pair -- Wendy Chang, vice president of product development, and Sonia Russomanno, vice president of marketing -- introduced Pantina to retail buyers at the National Association of Chain Drug Store's Marketplace Meeting.
The new line, which has a decidedly prestige look (think Nars meets Stila), garnered interest from a host of retailers, such as Rite Aid, Brooks Eckerd Pharmacy, Duane Reade and Happy Harry's.
What makes retailers' fondness for Pantina exceptional is that beauty companies -- from Revlon to fledgling newcomers Arissa and NYX -- are embroiled in a battle for space along the beauty wall. Manufacturers report...