Managing Editor called it; he noted  in his top twenty five best fragrances of 2011 that  last year was noteworthy for its quality department store perfumes. According to Woman's Wear Daily, the numbers back  him up citing double digit increases in November and  December. (Tama and I didn't do so bad either).

 According to WWD business boomed for the first time during the recession; three of the U.S.'s retailers Macy's, Neiman Marcus and Saks reported fragrance  business soared  up to 16 to 19 percent for the holiday season.
  
  
Among the standout brands were Chanel with its Exclusifs collection and No. 19 Poudre, Creed, Giorgio Armani,By Kilian, Guerlain, Elie Saab, Cartier Les Heures de Parfum Il L’Heure Convoitee, Jo Malone with its Wild Bluebell fragrance and Francis Kurkdjian’s Aqua Universalis scent. The launch of Prada Candy was “awesome,” according to Hazel Wyatt of Saks, and the new "Bottega Veneta scent did well". 
 
 
 
 Deborah Walters, Saks’ senior vice president and gmm for cosmetics, fragrance and intimates, concurred. She emphasized that the gift set business was “phenomenal,” and the candle assortment, including Nest, sold well. Launches such as Prada Candy, Bottega Veneta and Jimmy Choo performed well. Walters cited brands throughout the store’s lifestyle category of fragrances, which includes Killian, Bond, Tom Ford’s Private Blend, Creed and Clive Christian. Chanel, Guerlain and Dior were “outstanding,” Walters said.

 

Forget about the lipstick index… the fragrance index is the new gold standard  behind the counter. In case you did not read our reviews, you might want to take a look.

-Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief