Crabtree & Evelyn: The “Still” Room
About Crabtree & Evelyn
Crabtree & Evelyn, Ltd. are a relative newcomer on the American beauty scene. Started in 1972 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Evelyn & Crabtree was founded by a perceptive entrepreneur named Cyrus Harvey, Jr.
He had originally made a bid to come on board with Caswell-Massey, a toiletries firm established in 1752. Harvey wanted to redesign their packaging to boost sales but they turned him down. Since he could not join them, he decided to beat them.
He may not have had the pedigree he sought, but Harvey’s old-fashioned packaging caught the imagination of American consumers. Harvey started a single shop selling holistic, all-natural soaps. Harvey’s concept and his ultimate process of extraction were based on his plan to recreate the British “still room”. This traditionally English room was where essences of herbs, fruits and flowers were extracted and processed into floral waters, bath oils, fragrances and skin care products. This room was the inspiration for Crabtree & Evelyn, Ltd. The practice of transforming plants and flowers into aroma-therapeutic products has completely transcended the original still room once used so prominently in Cyrus Harvey‘s vision.
The name Crabtree & Evelyn is as distinctly English as its concept. “Crabtree” was named for the Crab-tree or Wild Apple (Pyrus malus). This apple is native to Britain and is the wild ancestor of all the cultivated varieties of apple trees. Historians believe that Romans introduced the Crab-tree into England. “Evelyn” is as English as Crabtree. It was used as tribute to John Evelyn, who wrote one of history’s first environmental books, called “Sylvia.” John Evelyn was a naturalist and advocate for preserving the earth’s resources in the 17th century.
Cyrus Harvey’s Crabtree & Evelyn store began expanding and their line of products grew with demand. It would eventually add lines of body care products that featured lavender, pomegranate, honey, almond oil and aloe. With that success, Harvey also began the production of “Evelyn”, a signature fragrance made from a single rose that was pressed after 30,000 seedlings and 8 years of time were sacrificed for the final scent. This led to another expansion into fragrances and beauty products.
In the late 1990’s Crabtree & Evelyn further widened their market base with home decorating products, casual bathrobes and slippers, gourmet foods and select teas.
The most successful line in the Crabtree & Evelyn product line is the La Source crop that garners a sale every minute of every day. Since 2002, this luxury line of personal and bath products have lead Evelyn & Crabtree to conquer new horizons. In 2004, Crabtree & Evelyn added men’s grooming products to their already successful line-up and it too has proven to be a lucrative success.
The Malaysian investment group KLK acquired Crabtree & Evelyn in 1996. The investment group has not changed the concept nor the successful holistic nature first sent down by Cyrus Harvey. What they done is used successful marketing strategies that have increased Evelyn & Crabtree’s profit margins by 40 percent.
Today, Crabtree & Evelyn sell luxury goods in over 350 stores around the globe. One of the world’s most successful lines has religiously stayed true to its New England beginnings and its English culture.
Finding Crabtree & Evelyn Discounts, Promotional Deals & Coupon Codes
Crabtree & Evelyn have a magnificent online store that abounds with sales, outlet prices and specials. Some of the bath products and other goodies are discounted from 30 to 75% off. That is not a typo. 30-75% off some of their most luxurious items is a steal that cannot be passed up.
Additionally, Crabtree & Evelyn have created a beautiful website where a consumer is able to register and get more specials and sales through an email account. The site is easy to navigate and user-friendly with categories listed on the left. They have a tracking system for all orders and offer a platinum membership that gives a shopper yet another 20% off selected items. It is beautifully done and the savings are unforgettable.
The site also highlights different products every month and the product in the spotlight has a discount attached to its promotion as well. If that is not enough, they also offer free shipping on purchase over $50.00.
While there are no coupons, the deep discounts in sales, online outlet and specials may offset the need for them. If someone prefers in-store shopping, they would be able to find coupons for Crabtree & Evelyn online. Print them out and head over to the delicious sights and smells that abound in the “still room” atmosphere of Evelyn and Crabtree, Ltd.