Sweet smell of success: eBay rises as India's biggest perfume retailer

In an effort to keep up with a shift in online buying behaviour, eBay India has expanded its fragrance portfolio to 1,000 items which will give consumers the access to premium brands with 30 to 60 per cent discounts.

According to eBay India reps, the retailer has "focused our efforts to bring in the best-in-class perfume brands for our consumers at attractive prices."​

Navin Mistry, business head of retail exports at eBay India told The Business Standard that the average perfume purchase ranges between Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 during the trial purchase.

The perfume market in India is currently estimated at Rs.2,000 crore, while online sales of the segment is expected to reach Rs.345 crore by 2017.

Annual growth to be twice as fast as US & EU markets...​

The overall retail beauty and cosmetics market in India is estimated at $950 million and is predicted to grow to $2.68 billion by 2020.

According to 'International Beauty Mart' (IBM), this is prompting more international players to set up shops and increase their presence in the country.

Whilst overall annual growth for the Indian cosmetics sector is reported to be twice as fast as that of the US and European markets, the hair and beauty sector is expected to grow to $6.2 by 2015.

Over the last five years cosmetics products have seen a growth of 60%; salons have seen a growth rate of 35% and cosmetic treatments are sending a growth rate of 5%.

Skin care products have experienced a relatively slower growth and products such as anti-wrinkle creams, cleansers and toners are not as popular as facial creams, moisturisers and fairness creams in this genre.

Companies like Pond's and Fair & Lovely top the list in this segment.