A Brief History of AVON

David McConnellDiscover how AVON become the company it is today

AVON has been around for over 125 years. From the humble beginnings as the California Perfume Company, David McConnell and the first AVON Lady Mrs Albee made history and formed the international company we know today. Discover more in the timeline below.

1886

David H McConnell was a travelling book salesman who used his own perfumes to "open doors". He quickly realised that the women were often more interested in the perfume and frequently struggling to make ends meet. He also believed that the women who liked these products would be the best sales agents and created the California Perfume Company. The very first AVON lady was Mrs Albee She was a mother of two children who at the age of 50 needed to earn some extra money. Within 13 years there were 5000 AVON Repreentatives.

Mrs Albee1920

The California Perfume Company had sales of over $1 million and women earned the right to vote. At this time the range of products had expended to included bath and soap products.

1928

David McConnell incorporates the company name AVON,inspired by William Shakespeare.

1939

AVON had already earned 11 seal of approvals from the magazine "Good House Keeping" and rebranded all their products with AVON.The factory was used by the US military to make paratrooper kits, gas masks and pharmaceuticals. AVON Representatives sold war bands to help raise money for the military.

1948

AVON sales exceeded $21 million and has its first television commercial. The tagline "Avon Calling" with the "Door Bell" sound was introduced in 1954. This advertising campaign ran until 1967 and became both the longest running and most successful advertising campaign in history.

1957

AVON sales exceeded $100 million. There were more than 100,000 AVON Representatives. AVON is introduced to the UK

1961

Skin So Soft was introduced and since become the most recognizable Avon product in it's history.

1972

AVON sales nearly reach $1 billion with over 600,000 Avon Representatives world wide. Sales double to $2 billion by 1978 with 1 million AVON Representatives.

1989

AVON introduces a permanent end to animal testing. The ANew brand is created bringing AHA Anti-aging technology to the mass market.

2001

AVON raises $7 Million for the families of the September 11 terrorist attack and in 2004 the "Speak out Against Domestic Violence" is launched and focuses on raising awareness, education & the prevention of women in domestic violence.

2008

AVON Sales reach $10 billion and in 2009 there are over 6 million AVON Representatives worldwide.

2011

AVON celebrates 125 years of empowering women in the cosmetics and direct selling industry.