‘Avon Lady’ going high-tech

Friday, July 28, 2000 | 10:20 a.m.

The "Avon Lady" is about to meet the Internet.

Custom websites for "e-representatives" will be introduced this weekend at the third annual National Avon Representatives Convention at the Sands Expo Center.

Nearly 14,000 Avon representatives are expected to attend the convention. In addition to seminars on leadership, sales and skin care, sales representatives can attend "The e-representative: How to Build Your Avon Business Online."

"It's a new initiative," said Stephanie DuPre, spokeswoman for Avon. "It's going to make doing business so much easier."

Representatives have been able to place electronic orders since the end of 1999 and products have been available to customers on Avon's website since 1997.

But Avon's website doesn't offer the discounts and specials that representatives provide their customers, DuPre said. Nor does it sell the entire product line.

When its e-rep launches later this year, customers can be directed to the site of a representative nearest them. According to Avon's website, more than 2 million online transactions are processed daily.

The e-rep program comes as Avon is increasingly gaining full-time representatives.

Gone is the lady next door hoping to make a few extra dollars. Representatives today have turned their $20 starter kits into a multimillion-dollar business, DuPre said. Some are husband and wife teams.

"People need flexibility today," DuPre said. "One of the reasons people are turning to Avon is because of its autonomy."

There are nearly 3 million sales representatives worldwide. Representatives are 98 percent of Avon's business and despite product availability on its website, sales representatives will still represent 95 percent of its business, DuPre said.

The convention ends Sunday. Opening ceremonies will be held tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center with a performance by Englebert Humperdinck.

Motivational speaker Hyrum Smith will speak to representatives Saturday. Richard Simmons will lead aerobics classes during the convention.