Catalog Age)–Magazine publisher Essence Communications Partners is in the final stages of liquidating its Essence by Mail catalog.

The company, best known as the publisher of “Essence” magazine, is seeking licensing agreements for its products. The catalog of apparel for African-American women first mailed in 1984.

The final order was taken on Oct. 31, general manager Nancy Hegy-Martin said. The firm is rejecting any incoming orders. “We are no longer accepting orders,” she said.

A 56-page final clearance catalog mailed the week of Sept. 9.

Essence by Mail had sales of about $19 million in 2001. Its house file totals more than 350,000 buyers and more than 250,000 requesters. Customers are primarily African-American women 45-60 years old, with an annual household income of $40,000 to $70,000.

According to Hegy-Martin, Essence Communications was hoping to sell the catalog rather than close it. But after negotiations with a potential buyer collapsed in mid-July, the company decided to divest the catalog business. Essence by Mail had been for sale since last December.

The clock began ticking for the catalog after Time Inc. purchased a significant portion of Essence Communications in October 2000. “The new board was looking to put their resources into a business that was more closely aligned with their core publishing business,” Hegy-Martin said.

(Catalog Age)–Magazine publisher Essence Communications Partners is in the final stages of liquidating its Essence by Mail catalog.

The company, best known as the publisher of “Essence” magazine, is seeking licensing agreements for its products. The catalog of apparel for African-American women first mailed in 1984.

The final order was taken on Oct. 31, general manager Nancy Hegy-Martin said. The firm is rejecting any incoming orders. “We are no longer accepting orders,” she said.

A 56-page final clearance catalog mailed the week of Sept. 9.

Essence by Mail had sales of about $19 million in 2001. Its house file totals more than 350,000 buyers and more than 250,000 requesters. Customers are primarily African-American women 45-60 years old, with an annual household income of $40,000 to $70,000.

According to Hegy-Martin, Essence Communications was hoping to sell the catalog rather than close it. But after negotiations with a potential buyer collapsed in mid-July, the company decided to divest the catalog business. Essence by Mail had been for sale since last December.

The clock began ticking for the catalog after Time Inc. purchased a significant portion of Essence Communications in October 2000. “The new board was looking to put their resources into a business that was more closely aligned with their core publishing business,” Hegy-Martin said.