Have you ever been in a disheartening situation where you go to the store to buy your favorite perfume, only to find out that the brand has discontinued it?
If yes, then you are not the only one. I feel you!
Whatever the reason, it is pretty heartbreaking for the fans of that discontinued fragrance.
To better understand all the details regarding the discontinuation of fragrances, keep reading this article till the end as I clear all your confusion.
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Why Do Fragrances Get Discontinued?
There can be many reasons behind discontinuing a specific fragrance. It may be due to a shortage, ban, or restriction on some key ingredients used to produce the scent, poor sales of the perfume, inability to recreate the aroma again, or simply the introduction of newer fragrances.
Why do Manufacturers Discontinue Fragrances?
Discontinuing fragrances may seem harsh, but if you look at it from a perfumer’s point of view, there can be many reasons behind the discontinuation.
So I will be elaborating on some of the primary reasons behind the discontinuation of fragrances:
1. Poor Sales Of The Product
It is no secret that all fragrance companies want to make a good profit out of the perfumes they sell. When the product is not generating a satisfactory amount of profit, it is only natural for them to discontinue that product.
The process of producing a fragrance is not a simple task. From formulating the scent to ordering the ingredients in bulk to creating and distributing, the journey of bringing a perfume to the market is quite cumbersome.
Keeping the manufacturing costs low is only possible when they are mass-produced.
Mass-producing a perfume that does not sell well will ultimately result in loss, which is why companies discontinue these perfumes.
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2. Unavailability Of The Ingredients
Formulating a fragrance is not an easy task. Each scent requires a unique blend of ingredients to produce the desired outcome.
However, sometimes one or more of these key ingredients are unavailable, extinct, or very difficult to find.
When this happens, the perfumers only have two options, the first is to try to produce a synthetic alternative to that ingredient, and the second is to discontinue that fragrance altogether.
Since finding a synthetic alternative is also very tricky, companies often discontinue the specific scent that requires those unavailable vital ingredients.
3. Inability To Recreate The Scent
One common misconception regarding perfume formulation is that creating a scent only requires some key ingredients, the availability of which will result in the desired scent.
Unfortunately, there is a lot more to the process of perfume making.
Sometimes, the surrounding conditions and how the ingredients are put together also play a huge role in producing the right fragrance.
You will notice that sometimes when you purchase the second bottle of a scent you liked, it may smell different to you despite containing the same ingredients.
This is due to the perfumers not being able to achieve that same fragrance again despite trying repeatedly.
Inability to recreate the same fragrance with utmost perfection thus often leads to the discontinuation of the product.
4. Laws And Regulations
Creating a fragrance requires using a lot of different ingredients to be put together.
While some of the ingredients used are natural, others are not. But they are all critical in producing that specific fragrance.
Sometimes few of the ingredients can turn out to be active allergens or irritants, sometimes they are harmful to the environment, and sometimes the ingredients are collected in an unethical manner.
When issues like those mentioned arise, some of the ingredients may be banned or restricted from being used because the perfume industry is highly regulated.
When key ingredients of some perfumes are banned and coming up with alternatives that produce the exact scent is impossible, perfumers and companies have no choice but to discontinue the fragrance.
5. Introducing Newer Fragrances
Keeping up to date with the ever-changing trends and demands of the public is very important to thrive as a fashion brand.
If a company decides to keep every scent they create forever, it will be challenging to introduce new scents.
So, to update their fragrance collection and prevent going out of date in the perfume industry, companies have to discontinue some of their fragrances.
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How To Know That Your Favorite Scent Got Discontinued?
Finding a fragrance that you resonate with is one of the best feelings ever. Having a favorite go-to perfume is a privilege that everyone should have.
But it is horrifying when you realize that the company has decided to discontinue that fragrance.
It’s even worse when you do not know why they have discontinued it.
So, how can you be sure that the company has discontinued that product?
Do not blindly believe when a sales associate tells you that a perfume has been discontinued
It is not necessary that a sales associate is always wrong, they may be right about the fragrance being discontinued, but more often than not, they are wrong about it.
Quite a few times, I have been told by sales associates that a fragrance has been discontinued, only to find out that it was not.
They may only be conveying what they have been told, but it is best to do your research rather than blindly believing them.
Do not fully believe even when the store owner tells you that the fragrance has been discontinued
Many times the owners of the store are also wrong about the discontinuation of a product.
This may be simply due to them purchasing the fragrance from a distributor rather than the manufacturer of the perfume. The distributor may have conveyed the false information because they stopped supplying the fragrance, resulting in misinformation.
This is not to say that the store owners are always wrong; they may be correct regarding the discontinuation. However, do the research yourself.
Directly contact the company to find out if the fragrance has actually been taken off the market
The only way to know for sure if a scent is still available is to contact the brand directly through email or phone. You can usually locate their contact information on the company website.
Also, ensure that you are talking to the correct department to get authentic information regarding the discontinuation.
Also, check out our separate post on Why Do Fragrances Get Reformulated?
What To Do When Your Favorite Fragrance Gets Discontinued?
I know it is tough when your favorite fragrance gets discontinued, but hey, it is not the worst thing that could happen.
There are still many options left for you. Whether you want to explore newer fragrances or try to find a similar one that is gone is totally up to you.
But here is a few options for you to try out:
1. Check for any remaining stocks
Just because a fragrance is not in production anymore does not guarantee there aren’t stacks of bottles waiting to be sold. Department shops are usually helpful in investigating other locations and arranging for bottles to be sent to you if it’s available.
2. Look for perfume sellers on the internet
Smaller perfume boutiques usually have stock left even after discontinuing a fragrance.
Also, you can check out large online shops as you may still have chances of getting your hands on the perfume.
If you are really desperate for the perfume, you can check sites like eBay, but there is always a chance of getting scammed and being handed replicas or spoiled scents.
3. Visit the company’s website
Perhaps you can’t locate your favorite perfume because the company is having distribution issues, which is more common with niche scents than with larger designer brands.
So it is best to direct your attention straight to the source and visit the brand’s website.
4. Find yourself a new fragrance
In the long haul, this last choice may prove to be the most efficient.
People who work at perfume stores want you to find a perfume that you love and adore, and they’re skilled at identifying a fragrance’s notes and vibe and matching it with another possible replacement.
Take your empty bottle to a decent perfume store if you’re lucky enough to live near one, and ask for a similar smell. What are the chances? You may discover a hidden gem.
You’ll have to rely on phone calls, emails, and purchasing samples if you don’t reside in an area with a decent perfume store.
Sure, it will take some time, but it will all be worth it if you find the right scent.
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Conclusion
Just because your favorite scent is no longer available does not mean that you will not be able to find an alternative ever again.
When you think about it, having your favorite designer stop your favorite perfume may not be such a bad thing after all.
That means you may expect new fragrances from the same designer, perhaps containing hints and elements of the fragrance you loved from their discontinued line.
I hope this article has helped you. If you have any feedback or questions, please leave them in the comment section below.
