DE FASHION NETWORK | http://bit.ly/2DK0KpU

#Sales of #prestige #beauty #products up #4% in the #UK 

Despite economic and political uncertainties, the UK prestige beauty market has grown by a steady 4% in 2017, according to The NPD Group. Makeup was the most dynamic category, followed by skincare and fragrance. Purchases from overseas visitors might explain a large part of the growth.

Sales of luxury beauty products in the UK reported an increase of 4% in 2017, hitting the £3 billion mark (EUR 3.4 billion), unveiled The NPD Group. According to the market research firm, the growth was largely driven by strong performance in fragrance, make-up and skincare and by the interest from overseas shoppers.

“The growth we have seen in the UK prestige beauty market is impressive, given the uncertainty with Brexit and the weak pound. British customers continue to purchase prestige beauty with great passion, and we also believe that an increase in global shoppers is a contributing factor to this growth, especially in super premium skincare and fragrance,” commented Helen Duxbury, Senior Account Manager, NPD UK Beauty.

Healthy fragrance sales

The prestige fragrance market was valued at £1 billion in 2017. Fragrance ended the year with a solid performance, increasing 3%, with both classic and new launches contributing to this growth. Consumers continue to choose juices over gift sets with the sale of gift sets remaining flat in 2017, with juices growing 4%.

Skincare and makeup

Skincare grew 6% in 2017 and this growth has been driven by classic and super premium brands. Although small at present, natural and vegan brands are demonstrating their importance to the skincare market’s growth.

As far as make-up are concerned, sales increased by 6% compared to last year, but this slowed from the double-digit growth of 10% reported in 2016. Within the make-up sector, foundation and lip colour remain the star performing categories reporting healthy growth throughout 2017.

“From the figures we have seen in 2017 there is a definite boom in the prestige beauty market. Make-up and super premium skincare are a real attraction for overseas visitors as they include many designer brands. Retailers confirm they have seen an increase in global shoppers in store. Whilst the weak pound confirms our thoughts that the global shopper is boosting the prestige beauty market, UK shoppers continue their love affair with prestige beauty in all categories,” concluded Helen Duxbury.

FROM JEZ FRAMPTON | CITYA.M. | http://bit.ly/2vR6bLF

#Build a brand for #millennials : The new challenge

 A brand is the most important asset a business can have. It is the only true, long term differentiator of a company, and without doubt it helps businesses change and grow. But although business owners know this is true, most are still neglecting the one thing that makes a successful brand: people. Brands start and finish with people. They begin on the inside, with humans, and are ultimately delivered on the outside, to humans. People are the pillars of a company that breathe life into businesses.

Brands are not a tangible product – they are a human construct brought together by opinions, perspectives and experiences. These experiences are made up of interactions with the product, a company’s culture, its impact on the wider environment, and how it communicates. Each of these factors makes up a brand. And every touchpoint for a consumer or employee matters. It is only when these experiences are fully aligned with clear values and purpose that a brand can live to its full potential.

People form opinions of companies in the same way that they form opinions of other people: it is an informed, emotional choice as to whether they like and trust you. Your company needs to have clear values and a meaningful purpose to allow people to make these decisions.

This is even more crucial when aiming to get millennials engaged with your brand. Some might be tired of hearing about millennials’ needs, and the fact that they are more concerned with a business’ ethos and vision than their parents were. But this is the generation that companies must aspire to.

This unique generation has found its voice and is not scared to use it. Look at the recent General Election, for example. Theresa May thought she was safe, but the millennials roared and swayed the result. They weren’t prepared to stand for something they didn’t believe in.

Millennials want purpose, clarity and authenticity, and these are the qualities that must be instilled into a brand’s ethos if you want this and future generations to consider buying into your products. Millennials are the people that will champion your brand’s purpose – if you give them one.

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