COMPANYHISTORIES
SIC 7231

Beauty Shops

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

4companies1927–1978founding years4still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedShiseido Company, Limited
1927
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedThe Cosmetic Center, Inc.
1957
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedSupercuts Inc.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedAveda Corporation
1978
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Shiseido Company, Limited →
Active · founded 1927 · Japan
Shiseido Company, Limited is the leading cosmetics company in Japan and one of the largest in the world.
The Cosmetic Center, Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
The Cosmetic Center, Inc.
Supercuts Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
One of the largest barbershop chains in the United States, Supercuts Inc.
Aveda Corporation →
Active · founded 1978
Aveda Corporation develops and manufactures hair, skin, makeup, perfumes, and lifestyle products from the essential…
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