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Acqua di Gio is still selling, though…

Posted by Robin on 26 March 2009 23 Comments

When broken down by category, makeup sales fell 3% to $3.2 billion, fragrance sales took the biggest hit, dropping 6% to $2.68 billion and sales of skincare products were flat at $2.4 billion.

The decline in fragrance sales dropped for both genders, down 5% in women’s and 8% in men’s fragrances, NPD found.

— From Beauty Category Struggles, Some Bright Spots, a synopsis of the latest beauty sector report from NPD Group, at Promo. Click over to see the top 5 selling fragrance brands (Acqua di Gio for Men is #1).

Filed Under: perfume in the news
Tagged With: fragrance sales

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23 Comments

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  1. Joe says:
    26 March 2009 at 11:27 am

    Thanks for posting this — I love reading this kind of stuff, personally. I found the following bit very interesting:
    “The introduction of new fragrances was pulled down overall by a 20% drop in new launches for men, however, new products for women posted a 9% gain in 2008… ” I wonder if new launches for women will be flat, gain, or drop in 2009.

    I’m also amazed that a men’s brand is actually the top-selling fragrance, and the AdG is still going strong after all this time. I own 100ml that I bought about 3-4 years ago, but I can’t say that I detect its presence around a lot. Also surprised that Beautiful is such a top seller — I’m not familiar with it, but it’s not something I hear about much either. Light Blue, on the other hand, I hear about ALL the time.

    I’d love to be able to see a longer list of brand data as well as sales represented by each. Like I said, fascinating… to me.

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    • Joe says:
      26 March 2009 at 11:35 am

      Also meant to mention that I’m somehow very surprised that fragrance grosses more than skin care.

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    • Robin says:
      26 March 2009 at 12:54 pm

      Joe, I love reading these things too.

      Wonder how much of that AdG is worn by women?

      So far, I see no evidence of fewer launches. But, these things are in the pipeline a long time before they launch…so might be less future planning at the moment, in which case things could presumably start to slow down later in the year.

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  2. Zazie says:
    26 March 2009 at 11:52 am

    I have read that, at least in Italy , niche fragrance selling increased a bit despite the crisis… Maybe it’s a “spend better” trend taking place?
    Hey, that would be good news, wouldn’t it ;)?
    Most niche shops are organizing so many events here to keep the public attention high…

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    • Robin says:
      26 March 2009 at 12:55 pm

      Interesting, wonder if that is happening here?

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      • Rick says:
        26 March 2009 at 5:15 pm

        Andy Tauer had a comment about this on his blog a couple of days ago: “A thought or two after the sniffapalooza event in Düsseldorf. Niche.like N-I-C-H-E. That was a big topic, among visitors, exhibiting brands and folks like Vero and me. And the US was another big topic. Some brands have seen sales crashing to non existance in the US. At least they told me so, which is amazingly frank. One guy said something like “last year we shipped containers of this stuff. This year its single boxes.” Russia as market: gone for some brands, too.”

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        • Robin says:
          26 March 2009 at 6:19 pm

          I wasn’t sure I understood his comment…assumed he was saying niche was doing badly in the US??

          I’d guess that niche is seeing a downturn in sales, but it’s also true that the term “niche” has become almost meaningless — there are so many “niche” brands now (too many, IMHO) and so many of them are doing the same sorts of scents as the mainstream brands. A little weeding out would be a good thing, I’d think.

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        • Zazie says:
          27 March 2009 at 3:47 am

          Thank you, I read AT post. I think in US the crisis is felt in a deeper way.
          I don’t know if in Italy w’are just late to catch up, or if the difference in the distribution makes a difference in sales numbers in times of crisis.
          What we call “art perfumery”, is often sold in really small, cute and intaimate, family-led shops, by very passionate people which can count on a life-long loyal clientele.
          The biggest ones organize courses, classes, meetings and big events (http://www.esxence.com/en/) which draw attention to the less known face of perfumery.
          The dullness of mass market offer may have contributed to draw a wider clientele…

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  3. lilydale aka Natalie says:
    26 March 2009 at 12:07 pm

    On the bright side, TJ Maxx was chock full of interesting stuff this morning, including Armani Prive Eclat de Jasmin (which I didn’t buy — I’m holding out for Bois d’Encens at TJM! — but which I suspect I will be soon kicking myself for passing up).

    I do fear for the niche lines, though, and am hoping that Zazie’s “spend better” theory holds true…

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    • Robin says:
      26 March 2009 at 12:55 pm

      I have been 3 times looking for Bois d’Encens!!! Nada.

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      • lilydale aka Natalie says:
        26 March 2009 at 1:06 pm

        Have you ever heard of someone finding it at TJM? This is the first time I’ve seen any Armani Prive there, but I’ll go to TJM every day if there’s even the slimmest chance of scoring Bois d’Encens!

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        • Robin says:
          26 March 2009 at 2:21 pm

          Yes! People have found that, plus AP candles.

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          • flittersniffer says:
            27 March 2009 at 6:37 am

            I was one of the candle finders – Eau de Jade for £14.99. Retail is double that I believe.

          • Robin says:
            27 March 2009 at 9:23 am

            Lucky you flittersniffer!

  4. sunsetsong says:
    26 March 2009 at 12:08 pm

    Think I must try Beautiful next time I am at the Estee Lauder counter. Something about the advertising makes me think it is only for a bride.
    However with so many of us living in sin or happily single, the sales can’t only be to brides.

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    • Robin says:
      26 March 2009 at 12:55 pm

      I’d guess that’s right, that it sells to all sorts of non-brides.

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  5. Daisy says:
    26 March 2009 at 1:15 pm

    I agree, interesting stuff to read. Not really surprised to see fragrance sales down a bit, although I feel that we here in this group are doing our level best at supporting the fragrance industry….I know I’m doing my best (empty piggybank makes interesting echo)

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    • Robin says:
      26 March 2009 at 2:21 pm

      Um, I’m doing my part!

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      • Daisy says:
        26 March 2009 at 2:44 pm

        and for our efforts…we get to smell great!

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  6. AnnieA says:
    26 March 2009 at 2:48 pm

    Is is too much to hope that producers of luxury items might contemplate putting the occasional item on sale this year? Maybe they can come up with a more exclusive word than “sale”.

    I believe Winners is the closest TJMaxx equivalent in Canada. It’s about the only place I can think of to find perfume on sale, except for drugstore brands. Did get Bulgari Black for $30 at a Winners in January but that was it for this year. Bois d’Encens, in a candle or otherwise, would be wonderful…

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    • Robin says:
      26 March 2009 at 3:36 pm

      Don’t think we’re going to see sales on perfumes at dept stores, but guessing we’ll see more “value” gift sets.

      Congrats on your Black, that’s a great deal!

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      • alltheprettythings says:
        26 March 2009 at 8:48 pm

        Incredible deal! I’m finding more new releases at TJ’s than I ever have before… sad to say, even at 40% off, they’re sitting there. Off to NYC this wknd, and am hoping to spend my hoarded perfume $$$ at Aedes!

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        • Robin says:
          26 March 2009 at 10:17 pm

          Oh, have a great time in NYC — and come back & tell us what you bought!

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