ISBN Roundup
Earlier this week, top executives from the U.S. salon industry gathered at the 2013 International SalonSpa Business Network (ISBN) Conference in San Antonio, TX, marking the organization’s 40th anniversary.
Among the highlights of Monday’s activities included a panel discussion moderated by Cosmoprof’s Pat Neville. Panel participants included Reuben Carranza, CEO of Wella, The Salon Professional Division of P&G North America; Martin Flaherty, Senior VP of Business Development at Colomer Beauty Brands USA; and Kristin Firrell, VP of Product Development and Education at John Paul Mitchell Systems.
Here are some of the highlights from the panel discussion:Continue reading
Beyond Bed and Bath to Beauty Powerhouse
Written by Donna Barson, Senior Associate at Kline
The Bed Bath & Beyond chain of home goods stores isn’t the first place one might think of as a key retail channel for beauty and grooming products, but that may be changing in the future. Since the company purchased the Harmon health and beauty care chain in 2002, it has been putting Harmon departments in its other stores. The company is becoming more aggressive with acquiring new companies, as well as opening new locations, and is further focusing on a cross-pollination strategy, bringing themes from one type of store into another.Continue reading
Bullish in Chinese Shops – Beauty Market Blossoming
Significant societal changes and quality-of-life augmentation in China are compelling Chinese consumers to put on a better face. China is seeing a crucial and auspicious shift in women’s life styles as they become more inspired by emerging career opportunities, access more disposable income, and generally seek greater life expectations. Their notable and increasing independence is being combined with a professional impetus to focus on their appearance – the latter often inspired by celebrity-led trends.Continue reading
Hair Apparent: Is Indonesia the Next Big Salon Hair Care Market?
As Southeast Asia’s most populous nation and its largest economy, Indonesia has been blessed with rapid growth and finds itself in the middle of a consumer spending fever that is likely to continue for years. While the familiar emerging markets of Brazil, Russia, India, and China have slowed down or even declined, Indonesia keeps attracting foreign investors. A recent New York Times article notes that in the first quarter of this year alone, foreign investment in Indonesia has soared by 27%, with particular emphasis on the Indonesian consumer. Continue reading
Not the Year of the Rat – China’s Pest Management Market Infested with Opportunity
An increasing focus on encouraging domestic consumption, potentiated by upcoming new and transformative pesticides registration standards, suggests robust opportunities for the pest-control sector in China. China’s reorientation from an industrial/export-reliant economy to a service/domestic-consumption one is advancing rapidly, with The Economist recently reporting that the country’s relatively small service-sector output is expected to exceed the county’s mighty industrial production within this year.
According to Kline’s soon to be published Global Professional Pest Management Markets for Pesticides: Market Analysis and Opportunities, total non-agricultural pest control service sales in China in 2012 alone are estimated at CNY 3 billion to CNY 4 billion (USD 476 million to USD 635 million), with pesticides sales expected to grow annually by 6.7%.Continue reading
Dropping by Your Local.com – The Merging of Channels of Distribution for OTC Drugs
With brick-and-mortar stores and online retailers already heavily competing for the consumer dollar in nearly all segments, OTC drug marketers should also be poised to take advantage of expanding sales and markets through both traditional channels and e-channels. The lines between these channels are blurring as online OTC drug retailers are offering brick-and-mortar store pickup, and mass merchandisers increase their presence online.
For example, Amazon.com now offers consumers the possibility to collect their online purchases at selected Staples and 7-Eleven stores, while mass brick-and-mortar merchandiser Walmart expects to earn $9 billion in 2013 in global sales through its website (Walmart.com), making it the fourth largest online retailer. Continue reading
Positive Results from Negative Findings, Natural/Organic Trend is on the Rise
Despite the considerable amount of skepticism when it comes to natural and organic products, there is a segment of shoppers that might not be huge, but is loyal to buying these types of products. The categories with most loyal shoppers of natural or organic products are baby food, produce, dairy, and vitamins/supplements. According to The PULSE of Shopping Life: Natural & Organic report’s findings, two in three shoppers consider organic/natural products to be expensive. This fact is not surprising bearing in mind the adverse, long-standing economical climate. However, the finding that around one in three shoppers believe that organic/natural products are beneficial for themselves or the environment and many don’t even believe the label is the area where the potential of effective addressing shoppers’ doubts and confidence lies.Continue reading
Mastering the M&A Dance: How to Turn “No” Today into “Yes” Tomorrow
The M&A scene has become increasingly fickle. Evolving priorities, global market trends, and industry threats and opportunities can change on a dime, leaving growth-driven companies scrambling to align their strategy with the latest developments.
With companies accruing hordes of cash in the wake of the market crash, private equity continuing to raise more money, and companies scratching at every opportunity to gain a competitive advantage, most companies approach M&A candidates with an immediate need to strike a deal while the iron is hot. Read more
Small Players, Big Opportunities – Vibrant Personal Care Market Ripe for Acquisitions
Putting on its best face, the U.S. cosmetics and toiletries market continues to perform well, posting 3.4% growth in 2012, with sales signifying success for both key and niche industry players. However, it is at the macro level that the flourishing personal care market is offering the most promise.
Procter & Gamble (P&G) maintains its lead in the U.S. personal care market; however, its market share across multiple categories is being challenged. With the exception of P&G, major companies – in particular, L’Oréal and Estée Lauder – are enjoying steady growth. Of particular note, smaller companies are making strong headway and highly viable impressions.Continue reading
Clearing the Jungle, Could Amazon Be a Leading Beauty Retailer One Day?
“2013 is Amazon’s year of beauty,” claimed Chance Wales, director of the health and beauty category for the e-commerce giant talking to WWD last month, confirming Amazon’s plans to become beauty retailers’ largest rival.
Will this be a killer for some beauty categories?
Amazon is many things to different beauty marketers and retailers. To some it is a retailer, to others it is a service provider facilitating e-commerce operations through Amazon Web Services. However, to nearly all beauty marketers and retailers, Amazon is a competitive threat.Continue reading
