Pinterest Looking To Grow User Base and Revenue

Photo curating and sharing platform Pinterest is hoping to expand its user base in Europe.The social media company is opening offices in the Netherlands,Spain,Italy and Sweden this year.
In another big move,the privately held firm is taking a big step in monetisation of the platform with the "buyable pins" concept.Now users will be able to buy depicted products directly from the site by clicking on small blue "Buy It" tabs on the pins,as the platform's photos are called.
We're very excited about products being brought directly into the Pinterest ecosystem,said Satish Kanwar of Shopify.Pinterest is our second largest referrer,but the first in value of purchases made.*
Pinterest users often use the site to shop for products or get ideas for projects,but to this point have had to go offsite to actually make a purchase.The company is five years old and valued at 11 billion dollars.Pinterest will not get a cut of each buyable pin transaction,but will offer vendors the option of paying for a promoted pin which is shown to users with a particular profile.Similarly,Google is adding a buy button to search results.
More than two million products will initially be offered on buyable pins by the likes of retailers such as Macy's,Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.You can pay with ApplePay or credit card.Buyable pins will launch on the Pinterest iOS app for US users this month,then be available on Android and desktop later this year.
Pinterest has strong appeal to those looking for new furniture and decorating ideas,fashion,wedding plans and baby products,as well as those interested in curating photos that reflect their interest in any number of topics,from art history to sports.
Successfully monetising this growing and distinctive platform will point it in the direction of becoming a public company.

Cosmetics and the Luxury Retail Market

Spain,Italy and Greece are not in any healthy condition,according to William Lauder,Executive Chairman of cosmetics titan the Estee Lauder Companies.Central Europe is OK,not bad.Eastern Europe is better still.Germany,France and the Benelux are pretty solid.
Asia's our fastest growing market;China is the fastest in Asia.Chinese consumers are shopping both at home and abroad.There's still an awful lot of growth going on there.We're building for the long term.
The female consumer's behaviour is influenced by her employment;her spouse's employment;and the housing market.
Most of our competitors are European or Asian-based,such as LVMH and L'Oreal.According to the comparables,we are the world's leading prestige market for beauty.A customer will spend 35-50 dollars for our products,versus 500 for a handbag or 50,000 for a necklace.
In California,there is strong Australian buying within a 20 mile radius of LAX airport.It is the major gateway of the Australians to the US;20-30% of area retailers' business is from Australians,given the strong Australian dollar.
Estee Lauder(EL)