Growth in Male Skin Care Outpaces All Other Global Personal Care Categories
-- Kline Study Reveals Today’s Man Spends Time and Money on Preserving a Youthful Complexion --
LITTLE FALLS, NJ, September 17, 2007 – As sophisticated men around the world embrace the “ubersexual” trend, sales of just-for-men skin care products are skyrocketing, particularly in some of the world’s most mature markets, according to a newly published study by worldwide consulting and research firm Kline & Company. In 2006, male skin care became the single fastest growing category in the global cosmetics and toiletries industry, posting an 8.7% gain, well above the 5.6% industry average.
“Men are becoming more image conscious, realizing there’s no shame in taking care of yourself,” says Deirdre McNulty, project manager for Kline Europe. “It is no longer considered exclusively feminine to moisturize. Manufacturers are heeding the call with products packaged and marketed specifically for men, including anti-aging and wrinkle treatments that mirror women’s lines.”
Data in Kline’s in-depth report Global Cosmetics & Toiletries 2006 indicates that sales of men’s skin care products have shot up 41.5 % in Canada, 21.5 % in France and 19.3% in Italy. Driving the trend, particularly in developed nations where the overall cosmetics and toiletries market is quite mature, is the continuing economic shift from manufacturing industries and manual labor to the service-based professional economy where appearance plays a more important role.
“Men of all ages are trying to look young in order to stay competitive in the workplace,” McNulty says. “Marketers have traditionally targeted the 20-40 age range, but are now going after the image-conscious baby boomers. These men have more money to spend on grooming and are encouraged to do so by the women in their lives.”
McNulty adds that the growing range of sales channels is also boosting sales. Historically the domain of luxury marketers, men’s lines are now mass marketed and available in the supermarket and drug store, making them more accessible to both male and female purchasers.
Published in July 2007, Global Cosmetics & Toiletries 2006 is the latest edition of Kline’s annual service assessing 21 product categories in the cosmetics, toiletries, and fragrance markets across 16 countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and North America. Additionally, Kline plans to publish Male Grooming Products 2007 in the first quarter of 2008. This study will examine emerging market opportunities and provide detailed analysis of this robust segment in both the United States and Europe. For more information about Kline’s personal care industry research, go to www.klinegroup.com/reports/reports_consumer.asp?category=19 or contact a member of our global sales team at www.klinegroup.com.
About Kline
Kline is a worldwide consulting and research firm dedicated to providing the kind of insight and knowledge that helps companies find a clear path to success. The firm has served the management consulting and market research needs of organizations in the chemicals, materials, energy, life sciences, and consumer products industries for nearly 50 years. For more information, visit www.KlineGroup.com.
