The UK beauty industry is in the pink. Employing more than one million people and worth £17 billion, I love reading the fascinating statistics and research that emerge constantly from new products to sales and growth, here are ten random facts I have picked out which shed some fascinating insight in the buzzing world of beauty.
Billion Dollar Beauty
Retail sales in the UK beauty market grew 15.5 per cent from £6.1 billion in 2008 to an estimated £7.1 billion in 2013
Source: Raconteur
Loyalty Rules
Consumers of beauty industry products tend to be brand loyal, and share what works for them with their friends. 58% of those surveyed claimed that personal recommendations weigh more heavily than celebrity marketing
Source: franchisehelp.com
Hairy Scary
There are over 35,704 hair salons in the UK. Hair is big business, clearly.
Source: Habia
Army of Soldiers
According to Raconteur there are over 1 million people working in the UK beauty industry.
Core Knowledge
Habia states that only 2.9% of the UK beauty industry workforce has an education to degree level or above.
Science of Beauty
Every year a quarter of all cosmetic products on the market are improved or are developed from scratch; with over 25,000 scientists and 520,000 life science students in Europe involved. Cosmetics accounted for 10% of all patents granted in the EU in 2009.
Source: CPTA
Big Spenders
The average woman is thought to spend a massive £100,000 on beauty products throughout her lifetime
Source: beautyresource.org.uk
The average 30 year-old man spends around £100 a month on grooming products and treatments
Source: beautyresource.org.uk
The sweet smell of success
In 2014, fragrances was the best performing category for sales in the Beauty industry.
Source: Beautystat.com
Smooth Operator
Young men aged 16-24 are spending more time removing or shaving body hair.
Source: Mintel