Type: Public
On the web: http://www.avoncompany.com
Employees: 42,000
Employee growth: 2.4%

"Avon calling" -- calling for a younger crowd, overseas reps, and improved global operational efficiencies. Avon Products, the world's top direct seller of cosmetics and beauty-related items, is busy building a global brand and enticing younger consumers to buy its products. Direct selling remains the firm's "modus operandi", but sales also come from catalogs and a website. Its products include cosmetics, fragrances, toiletries, jewelry, apparel, home furnishings, and more. Avon boasts about 6.5 million independent representatives. With sales and distribution operations in some 105 countries and territories, the company continues to transform its business as part of a multiyear turnaround plan launched in 2009.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending December, 2010:
Sales: $10,862.8M
One year growth: 4.6%
Net income: $606.3M
Income growth: (3.1%)

Officers:
Chairman, President, and CEO: Andrea Jung
EVP and CFO: Kimberly A. Ross
Interim CFO, Vice Chairman, Developed Market Group: Charles W. (Chuck) Cramb

Competitors:
L'Oréal
Mary Kay
Revlon

© 2012 Hoover's, Inc. All rights reserved.