Personal Care Market Growing ‛Naturally’

-- Kline Introduces New Research on Natural Personal Care Value Chain --

LITTLE FALLS, NJ, May 21, 2007 – Fueled by consumer concern about the long-term impact of chemicals in products they use every day, brands positioned as “natural” and “organic” are in high demand and comprise one of the fastest growing segments of the personal care products industry. Kline & Company, a global management consulting and market research firm, recently announced two new market research studies that will help subscribers separate perception from reality and identify sustainable business opportunities in this fast-developing market space.

“The perception is that non-chemical products are better for you, and consumers are consciously choosing more products that have botanicals, plant extracts, and essential oils listed on the label,” says Carrie Mellage, director of the Consumer Products practice for Kline’s research division.

While the underlying premise is simple, the natural and organic personal care products market is complex. Many brands in this category are not sold through audited channels; instead, they are primarily sold through health food stores, specialty stores, spas, and direct sales. In addition, certain products that are marketed as natural or organic may have only a few ingredients that fit that description.

Together, the research projects Natural Personal Care 2007: Competitive Brand Assessment and Ingredient Analysis and Natural Personal Care 2007: Market Assessment of Environmentally Friendly Raw Materials for the U.S. and Europe will provide an unmatched analysis of the market sector.

Covering more than 25 brands in the market, the Competitive Brand Assessment report will include detailed profiles of key players in the natural and organic personal care products markets and examine the ingredients they use. It will investigate the growth of brands like Jason Natural Products, Weleda, and Burt’s Bees and examine acquisitions like Colgate-Palmolive’s pickup of Tom’s of Maine and L’Oréal’s purchase of The Body Shop and Sanoflore.

The Market Assessment report will cover raw materials that are marketed to personal care product manufacturers as “green,” “renewable,” and “natural,” examining consumption, displacement scenarios, and sustainable trends and drivers. It will also help subscribers identify potential merger and/or acquisition candidates in this sector.

For more information about this research, go to www.klinegroup.com/market-research/research_consumer.asp or contact Carrie Mellage at +1-973-435-3412.

About Kline & Company Established in 1959, Kline & Company, Inc. is a global management consulting and market research firm serving the consumer products, chemicals and materials, energy, and life sciences industries. Kline provides clients with practical business solutions derived from a distinctive combination of industry expertise, global reach, strategic consulting, and market research capabilities. Additional information is available at www.klinegroup.com.

Media Contacts
Carrie Mellage
Director, Consumer Products Practice
+1-973-435-3412
carrie_mellage@klinegroup.com

Janice Kriegman
Manager, Marketing Communications
+1-973-435-3440
janice_kriegman@klinegroup.com

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