You’ve spent years experimenting and trying out different perfumes and just when you think you’ve found the perfect one, its no longer available! So, why do companies stop producing fragrances? Are they being selfish? Or is there a good explanation for this annoying decision? In this guide, we try to explain and demystify why your favourite scent is now discontinued and how you might still be able to find that special perfume.
1. Drop in sales
It seems obvious but when sales dry up for any type of product, they are likely to face the axe. And that's very much the same for fragrances. Ultimately, fragrance brands are running a business and need to generate a profit. So when a perfume or aftershave is not gaining much traction or becomes yesterday's news, it's likely to be dropped from the team. In fact manufacturers' regularly stop producing the same fragrance unless it becomes a "best-seller" and these days everything needs to be on-trend. Sometimes, fragrance companies decide to launch a similar version of the same product to maximise brand appeal and sales.
2. Shortage and cost of ingredients
Fragrances are composed of carefully chosen ingredients which give them their unique scent. Each ingredient is mixed to precise proportions to create complex layers of aromas and flavours. Therefore, the availability of ingredients is essential for the continuous manufacturing of any fragrance product. If any ingredient is no longer available for whatever reason, the company may have to discontinue producing the whole fragrance. Sometimes, even when the exact ingredients are available, they may be too expensive and the only option the company has is to stop producing and launch another modified version with revised prices and an altered formula.
3. Unable to recreate the same perfume
Have you ever encountered a situation where you purchased a second bottle of a perfume you loved but it was not quite the same again? That may happen when the manufacturer is unable to recreate the exact blend and formulation of the perfume. Often, this is due to a change in the manufacturing process but there can be numerous factors that may cause it. This can lead to unhappy customers and managers taking the commercial decision to discontinue the fragrance. To be honest, this happens rarely but is not unheard of.
4. Legal restrictions and safety of ingredients
Increasing research and information about the safety profile of ingredients has meant a number of previously used ingredients have been recalled for use on human skin or the body. This is because the ingredient may be classified as an irritant or skin allergen. When this happens, fragrances need to be modified with a suitable alternative ingredient or completely withdrawn. Also, some ingredients or chemicals used in the manufacturing of perfumes may have restrictions or tariffs on their import from one country to another. This will affect the supply of the main raw materials and constituents which can result in discontinuation of certain fragrances from the market.
5. Launch of new products
Consumers like new and shiny things and thus brand agencies need to get behind their new launches and so there's no other option but to cull some fragrances. This is probably the most common and important reason why fragrances get discontinued - ultimately it's a commercial decision and companies cant support the production of 100s of different fragrances at the same time. So, to satisfy their customer base and consumer appetite they need to continually release new fragrances and get rid of old ones.
Should you use discontinued fragrances?
Where can you still find discontinued fragrances?
- Buy in person from a high street shop or department store
- Buy samples or testers
- Buy Online