AOS Expanding

[StylinLA]

I've noticed here in SoCal that The Art if Shaving is expanding their brick and mortar presence. They've recently opened three new stores in pricey malls out here.

Is this a good sign that we're getting through to the average guy? I find it pretty encouraging for wet shaving.

 

[John Von Wuggz]

It's a bad sign that those of us in the know are giving them too much money. Better of supporting good companies and making them struggle, hopefully improving their tactics.

Btw, love the custom title.

 

[sarimento1]

Given the incredibly low awareness of this wet shaving stuff amongst the general US population, greater presence of quality products is good for the industry overall. Just my opinion.

 

[Craig_From_Cincy]

They recently opened a store here in Cincinnati too.

 

[R.A.D]

I would have to say that it seems to bode well for wet shaving.

I found it particularly heartening that companies in the USA are making some razors, I think wet shaving is making a resurgence.

 

[Wyokid]

I agree - the awareness has to start somewhere. The stores themselves are very upscale and classy!! It brings up thefact that there are alternatives to the Fusion and others that are timeless and frankly better! The cost can be debated for certain. It was AOS stores in Scottsdale and Las Vegas that made we want to find out more about Wet Shaving and Safety/Straight razors. All I knew were cartridge razors, although my dad used to shave with a safety razor when I was young and got lots of nicks! I think it is a classy, elegant way to introduce the public to old-school shaving and the benefits! Go Art of Shaving!

 

[FL shaver]

The average guy would benefit more from a variety of low end soaps and creams at the local pharmacies and discount stores.
Maybe it'll follow. I ignored AOS and their outrageous prices before I found VDH at Walgreens. I never would have gone to soap or cream or a DE razor if the low end entry point wasn't available.

 

[jcblough]

It is entirely possible that the exposure of high end items can drive demand for lower end ones. Happens on fashion stuff all the time.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Its got nothing to do with wetshaving specifically, men's grooming in general is a growing market segment. I'd bet the majority of sales at AoS are gifts and wives trying to get their husbands to clean up

 

[Z blade]

My only problem with AoS is the stinky products - Lavender, Sandalwood and Lemon. Super stinky to me. I exchanged my gift set with a brush, cream, oil, etc. for a Muhle R89. Gave the set back, plus $5.

What a great deal -I love my razor!

 

[Toothpick]

being owned by P&G i'm not surprised. There is a growing market and outside of the "mom & pop" stores AOS is about the only place to get quality products not found on the shelves of walmart or the like.

They are just seizing the moment. I would not be surprised to see a competing store come on the scene soon.

 

[Fatestorm]

I agree that AoS stuff is overpriced. But I LOVE the way that this store is going after the image of masculine class and sophistication. I know, I know, this stuff is ALWAYS sold to us--colognes and countless other things. But, even though it's my personal taste, I like that more people (as opposed to less people) are moving towards an image of 'classy', perhaps *maybe* even 'gentlemanly', as opposed to 'casual' or 'brotastic'.

Not to insult anyone, a man can do whatever he likes with his appearance. But there's clearly a market for this. With everything retail there's always a limit somewhere, of course, but the demand/market for it is growing. Of course, no amount of exterior grooming is a substitute for true gentlemanly virtue, but form does matter!

Substantively, I recently received as a groomsman's gift some Art of Shaving items, including one of their Fine brushes and some of the ocean kelp cream and pre shave gel. I might not have bought it myself because of the price, but I am exceptionally honored by the gift, as I know the groom went out of his way to get me something nice, and I do truly look forward to trying the products!

 

[The Dean]

Since many guys find traditional shaving through AOS (and then often move on to other products) I think this is probably a good thing. It isn't as if they are putting mom and pop shaving stores out of business, because there really aren't many of those around.

AOS products may be pricey, but IMO the creams and oils are 1st rate (haven't tried their soap, yet). And they are no pricier than some other top level products--though you can do as well, or better, for less. But that is true for just about everything.

Plus it's an easy way for others to get you gifts--and hey, you aren't paying for it.

 

[NCJack]

It is entirely possible that the exposure of high end items can drive demand for lower end ones. Happens on fashion stuff all the time.

I think so. AoS is a place where men can see ( and smell and feel) "so that's a shaving brush, that's cream, that's a DE razor". Quite a few will then decide to look on the net to see if they can get the like cheaper, and find, e.g., us.

 

[jestah93]

I think so. AoS is a place where men can see ( and smell and feel) "so that's a shaving brush, that's cream, that's a DE razor". Quite a few will then decide to look on the net to see if they can get the like cheaper, and find, e.g., us.

If it weren't for an AOS store here in Chicago, I wouldn't have dipped my toes in the wet shaving pool in the first place by purchasing one of their starter sets. While I enjoy their product, I can't say that I'll continually purchase it because I've since discovered cheaper and comparable (or better) alternatives, but I do appreciate what they do and hope that they continue expanding and introducing men to the wondrous world of wet shaving.

 

[OMEN]

I want to try AOS but here in the UK no companies are really making an effort to sell them. There's one online place that does but they have no stock on all I want to try. Eshave are around the same price point but I know I like them.

 

[Eeyore]

Would P&G go so far to bring back the DE razor into the AoS shops? That would be an interesting development.

 

[plato]

Would P&G go so far to bring back the DE razor into the AoS shops? That would be an interesting development.

The AoS site has some DE razors (one of them being a Merkur Futur) for sale. I think I remember the Vegas location having some straights for sale as well.

 

[Clover]

I agree that the AOS has high prices the product is good quality, though I miss the tallow soaps. It is one of the few places that shows that straight razors still exist. Most think straights are extremely rare and hard to find.

 

[Eeyore]

The AoS site has some DE razors (one of them being a Merkur Futur) for sale. I think I remember the Vegas location having some straights for sale as well.

Good to hear!

For the record, we don't have AoS over here.