CH4 The marketing environment.

Sephora and recession.
In time when economy is in recession every business must think about ways of meeting their cliental needs/satisfactionand company revenues. Sephora is a premium cosmetic retail and in "hard" economic period is very difficult to keep customers. Alot of American people going trough rough times, where they have to cut down on their personal expenses. Thats why people tend to buy less brand goods,which is a lot cheaper. Thats why stores Like Walmart, JC Penny became more popular.    Sephora found their own way to manage this situation. For example,Sephora opened up their retail stores at JC Penny(one of them is in Manhattan Mall 33rd & Broadway). 

http://www.youtube.com/v/LWVZEl6Gv9Y&fs=1&source=uds&autoplay=1

 Technological/Competitive Factors.
To stay competitive and more attractive to customers Sephora staff demonstrates the use of specific products, but they go above and beyond this basic sales tactic.  For example, Sephora stores also offer free 10-minute Express Services – a makeup application and mini-lesson on how to achieve the season’s most coveted looks, such as a pouty lip or smoky eye – as well as 60-minute makeup sessions with a minimum purchase.  Larger stores regularly offer special events featuring consultations with visiting industry and brand experts



Sephora and Regulatory Agencies(FDA).
  Sephora had registrade many of their products with Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  They have list of FDA approved products like skin care, tan lotions, lifting lotions, shampoos, etc.
Even face hair removal device that is FDA approved 
http://www.sephora.com/silk-n-sensepil-P241733

Specials are designed to both entice and inform.  They are typically presented as “$8 (a $30 value)” or as a gift with purchase, with product benefits and quality clearly prioritized over price.  All of these elements combine to reinforce Sephora’s image as a trusted advisor and provider of exclusive, top-tier products and the latest cosmetic innovations help them to make great revenue even at hard recession times.