PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.—According to market research company, The NPD Group Inc., prestige skincare dollar sales increased 7 percent in first half 2010, compared to first half 2009. All segments posted positive growth dollar growth in first half (January to June) 2010, except for the Body segment (down -5 percent).
The largest skincare category growth during the first half of the year was Sets and Kits, up 17 percent in dollar sales. The Face category had the second highest growth, an increase of 7 percent in dollars. Sun and Hair saw dollar sales increases of 5 percent and 3 percent, respectively.
Anti-aging was responsible for the largest share of the facial skincare market with 61 percent for the first half of 2010. In the Face category, anti-aging outperformed the overall segment performance, up 9 percent, compared to first half 2009. Of anti-aging dollars, the majority was spent on a facial moisturizer (44 percent dollar share). Age specialists were the second largest segment at 25 percent share, followed by eye products at 19 percent share.
“These positive results reflect consumers’ continued appetite for high-quality skincare and the prestige shoppers’ loyalty to the prestige channel and the brands they love and trust," said Karen Grant, vice president and global industry analyst, The NPD Group. “The results so far this year are quite encouraging, especially when we see total skincare has not just surpassed the results of the recessionary year 2009, but has almost surpassed the pre-recession year of 2008. New launches (excluding gift sets) are up almost $20 million more than first half 2008, and specialized facial treatment products are up almost 60 percent compared to 2008. These achievements are signs that 2010 will be the year of prestige skincare."