Global Cosmetic Industry is pleased to announce that Heather Connelly of Cos Bar has joined its editorial advisory board. In her role, Connelly will advise Global Cosmetic Industry on content, industry trends and general business insights from the retailer’s perspective.
Connelly currently leads buying and merchandising at Cos Bar, a multi-brand luxury beauty retailer that was founded in Aspen in 1976. Cos Bar’s network of nationwide beauty boutiques is committed to delivering the world’s best luxury buying experience and includes heritage brands like La Mer, Tom Ford and Cle de Peau Beaute, as well as newer introductions like Dr. Barbara Sturm, Augustinus Bader and Kosas.
A self-professed beauty addict, Connelly began her career at Bluemercury, where she was part of the original team before it was acquired by Macy’s. For 12 years she worked alongside the company’s founders to hone their brand footprint, first in Washington, DC, and then to the mid-Atlantic before rolling out their retail model nationwide.
Next, she went on to Space NK as head of merchandising, leading a portfolio of 90 brands, many of which she launched in the U.S. market. Her retail experience includes managing the shop-in-shop model, an initiative through which she partnered with Bloomingdales and Nordstrom to expand Space NK’s branding both in-store and online.
She has successfully marketed more than 30 exclusive product collaborations with her various roles.
Connelly has been invited to share her expertise with various panel discussions and seminars including Glossy’s New Face of Beauty forum, the Beauty & Money Summit and the Skin Microbiome Congress. Her opinions have been highlighted in publications including global Cosmetic Industry, WWD, Refinery29 and the Beauty Independent.