2009 lux beauty results
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
The prestige beauty segment slipped 6% in the U.S. in 2009 versus prior year, with high-end fragrance representing the greatest drag, according to results presented by the NPD Group at its Jan. 26 "Hot off the Press" event in New York. Sales of prestige fragrances, cosmetics and skin care actually climbed 17% in China, but declined in Mexico (-14%), Spain (-5%), Italy (-4%) and France (-1%). "Make no mistake, 2009 was a most challenging and difficult year for the prestige beauty industry," the market research firm's VP and Senior Beauty Analyst Karen Grant notes. "Yet, particularly as we entered fourth quarter, there was evidence of some recovery as well as areas of growth across categories, at both ends of the price spectrum." Interest in smaller-size women's fragrances, innovative foundation and concealer concepts, anti-aging skin care and hair-care products has picked up, Grant indicates. The food/drug/mass channel recorded flat sales of lux beauty items, with fragrance behind 2008 figures and makeup and skin care (minus hair care) ahead for the year, NPD reports