Different factors driving beauty in mass, prestige


Total U.S. beauty sales may be trending similar in the mass and prestige channels but with different drivers, according to market research provider the NPD Group.


“Despite the current economic situation, the beauty industry continues to trend upward, showing growth for the fourth consecutive quarter in both the food, drug and mass and prestige channels,” stated Diane Nicholson, president of beauty at the NPD Group. “After a positive yet cautious 2010, it’s encouraging to see consumers continue to embrace newness and innovation in the beauty space.”


According to the numbers, total U.S. beauty sales in both the food, drug and mass channels and prestige trended similarly in first quarter 2011 (January through March), up 4% and 5%, respectively. 


Makeup sales fared better in the food, drug and mass channel (up 6%) versus prestige (up 5%) during the first quarter due in part to the double-digit sales in the $127 million nail segment, according to NPD.


In a separate research report, NPD found that lip color was the star of the total prestige lip segment between January and April, rising 11% in dollars ($92.1 million), compared with January through April of 2010. In fact, lip color began to show signs of growth again last year after nearly a decade of declining sales.


“In 2010, we saw the preference for rich as well as retro colors; in 2011, we are seeing new neutrals come to the fore. As the fashion industry increasingly features bold as well as understated lip statements on the runway and in advertisements, lip color appears to be getting its groove back,” stated Karen Grant, NPD’s VP and senior global industry analyst.


In skin care, the food, drug and mass channel is triple the size of the prestige channel, yet prestige trended better, according NPD, up 6% in prestige compared with 3% in food, drug and mass.