Marketing boosts cosmetic sales

By Louise Prance

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Retailing

Marketing may be even more important for the cosmetics industry
than new product development, say insiders - and the giants are
egging the latest trends to attract the holiday season consumer.

With numerous cosmetic houses competing against each other in a $40 to $50 billion industry, many of them spend just as much, if not more on advertising and promotion as they do on R&D. The average consumer looks more likely to choose from branding and advertising efforts, than actual scientific evidence of what ingredients are in each product. John Stanton, Marketing Professor at Saint Josephs University, Philadelphia told media insiders that, "Most of us don't have the technical skills to look at something and identify the specific ingredients".

According to TNS Media, the cosmetics industry spent an estimated $2.2 billion on advertising in 2005, a figure that shows many manufacturers rely heavily on promotion and portraying the 'right' brand. There has also been a huge drive recently into online sales and marketing, with beauty giants such as MAC and Clinique recently launching online sites as a convenient alternative to buying products without the hassle of going in store.

MAC launched its new online store in Australia this week, and Clinique is marketing free delivery and gift-wrap promotions on its online store, for the Christmas shopper.

Both companies have targeted the online shopping craze that is emerging, with Jupiter Research stating that consumers will spend a massive $274 million in online purchases this holiday season, a $264 million increase from the comparable season in 2005, which only saw sales reach the $10 million mark.

However, despite large advertising campaigns there are claims that larger cosmetic companies who can afford the lavish promotions may not actually be that different to the low-end companies that do not promote so heavily.

'More expensive is not necessarily better, you may have a very expensive cream with very expensive packaging and another cream sold in the mass market drug chain store, which might be as good and contain the same ingredients and cost one-tenth of the price'​ Dr Diane Berson, a Manhattan dermatologist told media insiders.

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Exosomes: Passing Trend or Transformative Reality?

Exosomes: Passing Trend or Transformative Reality?

Content provided by Naolys | 26-Mar-2024 | White Paper

Exosomes, microscopic vesicles naturally present in abundance within Plant Cells, have garnered significant attention within the scientific and cosmetic...

How Nutricosmetics Can Enhance Skin Beauty

How Nutricosmetics Can Enhance Skin Beauty

Content provided by Activ'Inside | 11-Dec-2023 | White Paper

In the ever-evolving realm of nutricosmetics, where inner wellness meets outer beauty, few natural ingredients have captured the spotlight quite like grapes.

Ultimate Antimicrobial Solution for BPC

Ultimate Antimicrobial Solution for BPC

Content provided by Acme-Hardesty Company | 11-Oct-2023 | White Paper

Sharomix™ EG10, a versatile broad-spectrum antimicrobial liquid blend for preserving personal care products, ensures safety at usage levels ranging from...

Acme-Hardesty Expands Product Line into Canada

Acme-Hardesty Expands Product Line into Canada

Content provided by Acme-Hardesty Company | 07-Jul-2023 | Product Brochure

Acme-Hardesty’s latest expansion into Canada includes Resplanta®, Botaneco®, and BYK from our partners Sharon Personal Care and Eckart Effect Pigments...

Related suppliers