Europe lags behind
The NPD Group recently presented an overview of the beauty industry’s 2011 year-end results for prestige skincare, makeup, and fragrance in the U.S. and several other markets. Among the countries included in the survey, Argentina (+33%), Mexico (+15%) and China (+22%) achieved the most robust growth in dollar sales in 2011 compared to 2010.
The U.S. and the U.K. grew by 11% and 9% respectively, while sales in France (+3%), Italy (+1%) and Spain (-1%) were weaker.
“In the U.S., U.K., and China, prestige beauty is enjoying one of the most robust sales periods ever,” commented Karen Grant, vice president and senior global industry analyst, The NPD Group.
Prestige beauty reigned supreme in the U.S.
In 2011, sales in U.S. department stores were boosted by skincare and fragrance, both posting double-digit dollar growths of 14 and 11% respectively, while makeup grew a healthy 9%, compared to 2010.
In comparison, the U.S. Food/Drug/Mass channel experienced a 4% increase in sales for total beauty in 2011, versus 2010. In this channel, makeup sales posted the biggest increase at 8%, followed by skincare at 3%, while fragrance sales declined by 5% in dollar sales, compared to 2010.
