Although the Asia Pacific region continues to be the main launch
pad for new nutricosmetics products, latest market movements show
that the UK and US are catching up.
US consumers are becoming increasingly concerned over social and
environmental implications when choosing packaged food and beverage
brands, according to a new report by Information Resources, Inc
(IRI).
Avon takes a new direction with healthcare foods in China, Swiss
Arabian Perfumes Group announces expansion plans in the Gulf and
Ineke perfume expands European distribution.
Despite significant growth in the Indian cosmetics and toiletries
market in recent years, per capita cosmetics consumption still
remains the lowest in Asia, according to the Associated Chambers of
Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
The merger and acquisition highlights for 2007 include
consolidation in the natural and organics market, further
acquisitions by the biggest players and rumors concerning the
future ownership of Clarins and Estee Lauder.
Industry expert Didier Rase has launched a new men's anti-ageing
skin care range, claimed to be the first to feature a plant derived
ingredient that inhibits testosterone deficiency.
The Chinese government has acted on promises to improve product
standards 'blacklisting' 10 domestically manufactured cosmetics,
according to press reports.
Wal-Mart's sustainability programme, which is forcing manufacturers
worldwide to reduce their environmental impact, has come under
heavy criticism from a coalition of international labour and
civic organisations for being "unsustainable".
Demand is growing for natural cosmetics in China, driven by a
traditional preference for natural ingredients and the fear of
toxic chemicals in consumer goods.
First quarter sales made significant progress at Elizabeth Arden,
which the company said was largely attributable to the successful
international launch of its new Mariah Carey fragrance.
Emerging markets, particularly Brazil and Russia, are becoming
increasingly open towards natural and organic cosmetics, with both
domestic and international players getting involved in the trend.
Despite Estee Lauder reporting a healthy increase for its first
quarter sales, profits have been hit by lower operating income as a
result of increased marketing expenses and falling US sales.
The International Cooperation on Cosmetic Regulation (ICCR) is
calling for increased international cooperation within the
industry, in areas such as nanotechnology and alternatives to
animal testing.
Leading UK toothpaste packaging manufacturer Betts Global has been
bought out by private equity specialist Gresham in a move that aims
to better position the company for future global growth.
Business development company Allied Capital has pledged $51m
towards the buyout of hotels personal care and amenities supplier
Gilchrist & Soames by private equity group Swander Pace
Capital.
There are 383 cosmetic products on the US market that contain
ingredients banned in other countries, according to a new survey by
the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
Global direct sales player Mary Kay is making a $20m investment in
the Indian market for cosmetics and personal care products in an
attempt to tap into fast-growing sales in this rapidly evolving
market.
Vaseline launches its 'Skin is Amazing' campaign, inviting
consumers to express their own skin story, and in turn adding to a
number of marketing campaigns from big industry players that take a
more holistic approach to...
China Bionanometer Industries has launched a new line
of facial mask treatments based on natural active
ingredients derived using biological nanometer technology to
provide enhanced skin moisturizing, smoothening and whitening
Cosmetics giant L'Oreal has reportedly challenged eBay, in five
European countries, for failing to combat the sale of counterfeit
goods through its internet auction website.
An Israeli biotechnology firm is marketing a carotenoid product
that promises to protect against UVA damage; capitalising on the
current concern regarding inadequate levels of UVA protection.
Nivea has announced the launch of its international umbrella brand
campaign, representing a further step in Beiersdorf's business
strategy to expand its presence in the global personal care market.
Ireland-based Alltracel has revealed that it is preparing to
acquire the oral care specialist Synpart in a bid to lead the
European private label market for oral care products.
Heat-shrink labels with integrated holograms could help the
personcal care industry in the fight against counterfeiting and
forgery, the manufacturers claim.
Tainted toothpaste has turned up among the supplies of a luxury
provider of toiletries for international hotels, taking the Chinese
toothpaste scare beyond the gray market.
Mozambican authorities have seized counterfeit toothpaste that may
contain a potentially deadly ingredient used in anti-freeze,
further contributing to a fast-growing global scare.
An ambitious expansion programme seems to be paying off for the
Swedish direct sales firm, Oriflame, as both sales and operating
profits register significant growth.
China has recently announced a ban of diethylene glycol, the toxic
ingredient found in the widely banned toothpaste - representing one
of a number of moves attempting to reassure its export market.
A leading Filipino personal care player has announced its aim to
expand further into international markets for natural-based
products; a move it hopes to fund through its share flotation.
The financial burden of setting-up a production plant in China has
forced the owners of a cosmetics packaging firm to call in the
administrators and sell the business.
As savings from restructuring kick in, oral and personal care giant
Colgate-Palmolive has reported a robust quarter, with sales
significantly boosted by a raft of international product launches.
Dallas-based Kimberly-Clark has reported a significant increase in
its second quarter sales, marked by particularly strong personal
care growth in Europe and the emerging markets.
Algatechnologies, an Israeli biotechnology company specialising in
algal antioxidants, has announced its plans to expand into Poland,
hoping to cash in on growth in the emerging Central and Eastern
European markets.
Swedish direct sales agent Oriflame has broken new ground with the
launch of its first toothpaste last week - incorporating a
tooth-whitening product to capitalise on the booming whitening
market.
The Chinese oral care industry is being further impacted following
the news that the UK is now joining the list of countries
announcing that hazardous toothpaste products, believed to
originate from the country, are being found on...
Spanish authorities have instigated an EU-wide response to
hazardous toothpaste products originating from China, with the
announcement that it is to withdraw certain brands from the Spanish
market.
In response to pressure from US and other worldwide regulation
authorities, the China government has reported that it is
developing stricter certification for oral care products.
LVMH Recherche, the research arm of French luxury consumer group
LVMH has conducted three tests on European and Japanese adolescent
skin care routines in a bid to develop skin care treatments for
this age group and later in life.
Japanese cosmetics manufacturer Kanebo has re-launched its skin
care product range in Europe, the US and the Middle East as part of
its strategy to push forward in the premium cosmetics market.
FDA officials have conceded that the distribution of tainted
toothpaste throughout the US is much more wide-spread, extending to
larger numbers of discount stores than first thought as well as
prisons and hospitals.
Beiersdorf is making a move to mirror the booming success of the
Western male grooming market in India - increasing its marketing
campaign for the Nivea for Men skin whitening range.
Azure Cosmeceuticals believes it has raised the bar for peptides
with the launch of its new Hydropeptide Transformation Growth
Serum, a product that is said to stimulate skin cell growth.