In France in 2007, sales for the overall skincare market increased three percent compared to 2006 with an average price of € 36,90 ($57.20 US). The premium facial skincare market, products 70€ ($108.50 US) and above was up 12 percent in 2007 vs. 2006, with sales of 145,4M€ ($225.4m US). Premium facial skincare products now make up almost a quarter (23%) of the total skincare market.
Anti-aging products are the main driver of growth in premium skincare, but there is also growth in moisturizers, gift sets, suncare products and men's skincare.
The super premium anti aging products, priced at 150€ ($232.50 US) and up, are also growing. In 2007, super premium products made up one-sixth of the total anti-aging sales and increased seven percent vs. 2006, on top of a double digit increase the year earlier. As of April of this year, despite the economic situation in France, sales of super premium products continue to rise 13 percent year to date vs. the same time a year earlier.
“We have some consumers in France who expect very high quality when they buy a beauty product, particularly a skincare product,” said Martine Ringwald, vice president beauty Europe, The NPD Group. “Women are looking for unique and rare ingredients in the premium skincare products they buy. These consumers are willing to pay a lot if the product lives up its claims,” said Ringwald.