Interesting...

[SavantStrike]

According to this piece from Oct 2008, Gillette's sales have dropped 10 or more percent, and no name brand sales have risen. This fits in with the decline in electric sales that has happened too... It's also got info about the 1 dollar a week claims and Gillette's attempt to keep a hold on the market.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122325275682206367.html

If DE's were available in stores, this would be an awesome time for them to make a comeback... or try...

[rabidpotatochip]

Perhaps a bit of guerrilla marketing of DEs is in order. Stickers, badges, posters, flyers; whatever possible wherever you can put it. Hit 'em hard and hit 'em fast. :biggrin:

[SavantStrike]

Yeah! Let people know!!!

Not sure how it would work out though as advertising is expensive, especially competing against Gillette et al.

[Brodirt]

Doesnt anybody here do any marketing for hip-hop records...those guys get the word out hard and fast.

[Spatterdash]

I can't help but wonder if the increase in membership here at B&B is directly related to the 'consumer skepticism' that marketers mentioned in the article.

Either way, whether they end up here or try another route, men just aren't falling for it anymore, not like they used to. We aren't grabbing the Fusion like we did the Sensor and the Mach3.

[Tommy_C]

Good God...Where does Gillette get the audacity to say this:


The company has also made tweaks to some Fusion packaging in an effort to address concerns about the higher price: now replacement cartridges highlight that an eight-pack lasts as long as six months.

If I shaved seven days a week (as I can, and do, with a DE), I would need to get between 22-25 shaves per fusion blade to last six months. They should be ashamed....:mad:

[galopede]

I was in my local Tesco the other day and noticed that the Fusion has been reduced to two thirds the price of the Mach 3! That's for the handle, not the cartridges.

Gareth

[rabidpotatochip]

Yeah! Let people know!!!

Not sure how it would work out though as advertising is expensive, especially competing against Gillette et al.

Depends how you advertise. I'd love to give exact details but I'd get in trouble. Basically, my company doesn't spend any money on advertising. Most of the time we don't even have to tell people we're hiring when we need people. Never underestimate the power of word of mouth.

[SavantStrike]

Depends how you advertise. I'd love to give exact details but I'd get in trouble. Basically, my company doesn't spend any money on advertising. Most of the time we don't even have to tell people we're hiring when we need people. Never underestimate the power of word of mouth.

Word of mouth is a powerful thing, but it takes more than that even with a safety razor... people need some sort of visual proof that it doesn't slit your throat and kill you (which is a joke... scissors could do more damage...).

And Tommy_C it's pure crap for them to say that. I don't understand why a consumer reporting agency has not called Gillette out on that blatantly false advertising...

I remember using that sav-a-blade razor sharpener with my M3... really all it was was a wet sander that buffed the blades... The result was better than not using it, but it still sucked something fierce... I could stretch a M3 blade to 1.5-2 weeks of daily shaving using that thing, a week longer than normal... but after the 3rd shave every shave for the next 10 days was torture... Even with aftermarket crap, I couldn't get 20+ shaves out of a cartridge.

[philamac]

If I shaved seven days a week (as I can, and do, with a DE), I would need to get between 22-25 shaves per fusion blade to last six months. They should be ashamed....:mad:

I can get at least 30 shaves quite comfortably with a Mach 3 cartridge. I get about 4-5 shaves with the DE blade, normally a Tesco or Personna.

[mparker762]

(italics and bolding mine)

Unit sales of Gillette blade cartridges in the U.S. have fallen every month of the past year compared with the year-earlier period...That's despite Gillette consistently raising prices this year...


Somehow I don't think that word means what they think it means...

[SavantStrike]

(italics and bolding mine)

Somehow I don't think that word means what they think it means...

Good catch! That means Gillette making even less than it appears they have as the higher per unit price helps hide the fact that unit sales are down, which is the real problem.

My question is what are people switching to if these sales are down? Disposables? Wood chippers? Not shaving?

And 30 shaves out of a M3 cart.... goodness gracious that's dedication.... that must have hurt like crazy!

[mmack66]

And Tommy_C it's pure crap for them to say that. I don't understand why a consumer reporting agency has not called Gillette out on that blatantly false advertising...

The cartridge packages say "up to" 3 months for the 4-pack and "up to" 6 months for the 8-pack. They have an out.

[mmack66]

My question is what are people switching to if these sales are down? Disposables? Wood chippers? Not shaving?

I think it is a combination of shaving less and using cartridges until they are completely worn out.

[richmondesi]

Yeah! Let people know!!!

Not sure how it would work out though as advertising is expensive, especially competing against Gillette et al.

I tell anyone that will listen. I've been seeing great results, and people are noticing. I've had some people become interested in using DEs after we talk. I've even PIFed some stuff to one buddy. Word of mouth boys, Word of mouth:cool:

[sol92258]

I can get at least 30 shaves quite comfortably with a Mach 3 cartridge. I get about 4-5 shaves with the DE blade, normally a Tesco or Personna.
wow, I get as many shaves out of a DE blade (4-7) as ever with a cartridge. If I really had to, a cartridge could make it 2 weeks...of not shaving everyday.
but, YMMV and all

[kzoo1]

I tell anyone that will listen. I've been seeing great results, and people are noticing. I've had some people become interested in using DEs after we talk. I've even PIFed some stuff to one buddy. Word of mouth boys, Word of mouth:cool:

EXACTLY!!!!

My (younger) brother was getting terrible irritation from every shaving method. Keyword- was. Despite his initial objections, time, effort, availability, etc. I was able to talk him in to watching Mantic's videos, and trying some VDH soap, generic brush, and a 40's style SS. He has since reported 2 successful shaves! A one pass and a three pass, with no irritation.

He was astonished to say the least.

When I started telling him about irritation-free shaving, he was skeptical at best, but I suspect his sub-par shaves got him thinking. Eventually, he was open to trying some different gear.

He reported that he was able to shave 2 days in a row for the first time he can remember. Up to now- he was a Mach3 user, in the shower, once a week at best.

I've really enjoyed his revelation

Gillette (P & G) is a classic example of the current economic situation. Corporate/Banking/Insurance America wanted to see how far they could push the system, to the extreme. Gillette is no different. I believe they have found the consumer's limit. Consumers are rebelling against this madness of more blades/cost = a better shave. Shavers will find a better way, eventually.

Gillette not only "attempted" to jump the shark, they landed right on its nose.

I believe that unless Gillette can save itself, as a brand, it has run its course and is on the way out. It will take some time, but on the whole, I believe Gillette as a brand will eventually be "phased out".

[SavantStrike]

I'm wondering what will replace them then...

It is interesting that a company that made products so many of us adore is now our number 1 disappointment.

I think that article is telling though. Sales are down, way down... maybe G will wake up and reinvent itself, but it appears as though they've decided to try and let the marketing department fix it. That's not going to cut it long term :001_rolle.

[Spatterdash]

I came home from work today, and who should be standing in my living room but Tiger Woods, a Fusion in his gloved hand!
He told me I should get with the times and buy a Fusion.

I told him he was really good - at golf. I sent him home with a Merkur HD.

[mretzloff]

Let's be realistic, neither safety razors nor straight razors will ever make a comeback.

Very few people are willing to make more than five minutes to shave. Most people would rather spend more money to have faster shaves. Unfortunately, cartridges are here to stay :frown:

[mmack66]

Let's be realistic, neither safety razors nor straight razors will ever make a comeback.

Very few people are willing to make more than five minutes to shave. Most people would rather spend more money to have faster shaves. Unfortunately, cartridges are here to stay :frown:

+1. There simply is no money to be made in the DE/Straight razor business. ASR pretty much has the American blade market sewn up and Gillette just discontinued manufacture of the "Swedish" Gillette blade. Straight razors don't offer any profits because they last forever.