U.S. Prestige Beauty Industry Posts Growth Across the Board

According to beauty market research conducted by The NPD Group, Inc., total U.S. prestige beauty generated $8.4 billion in 2010, an increase of 4%, compared to $8.19 billion in 2009.
 
Prestige fragrances posted their first annual gain since 2006, with sales growth of 1%, versus 2009. Juices grew 4% for both men and women, which helped drive the overall performance. Fragrance launches were up 3%, driven by men’s, which grew 10%.
 
Prestige skin care proved once again to be the strongest performer among the three prestige beauty categories. Skin care not only gained back what it had lost during the recession, but the category also surpassed pre-recession levels. Launches, which grew 30% were a major contributor to the total prestige skin care increases, as well as anti-aging products, which grew 12%. Premium face products ($75 and above) showed a 7% dollar increase from 2009.
 
For the first time in two years, prestige makeup experienced category growth. Boosted by the double-digit growth of offerings from primers to anti-aging face products, to color options in lip and nail, five of the six segments within makeup posted growth. Three segments—face, lip and nail—either met or outpaced category growth.

Sustainability Ranks High In Luxury Packaging

Sustainability is emerging as a key trend in luxury packaging as high-end marketers look to promote their environmentally responsible credentials through their choice of packaging materials, according to a recent report from the UK-based market research company Pira International.

Paperboard, which is seen as an environmentally friendly material, is finding growing applications in luxury packaging, according to the firm. It was estimated to account for 62.9% of the value of the luxury packaging market in 2010 and 45% of the volume. Glass is the second most widely used material, according to Pira, followed by plastic. These three materials are forecast to register the highest growth rates for luxury packaging materials in value terms during the period 2010–15, with demand for glass and paperboard primarily driven by increased interest in sustainable luxury packaging, the report noted. Data gathered also revealed that board and carton producers are increasingly securing certification that supports responsible forest management. Luxury packaging for cosmetics and fragrances is predicted to have one of the fastest growth rates to 2015, with Pira highlighting fragrant packaging in cosmetics and fragrances as a developing technology.

Aveeno Plants a Jungle In NYC’s Times Square

On April 7-8, hundreds of trees greened New York City’s Times Square, as Aveeno skin care got a jump on Earth Day, creating an educational lesson and marking the brand’s commitment to raising awareness for healthy living and environmental sustainability.  It’s all part of the launch of the Aveeno Be An Active Natural program, which encourages people to make small changes in their daily lives that can add up to a positive impact on the environment (details at www.facebook.com/aveeno). Aveeno is also donating 500 trees to MillionTreesNYC, and challenging New Yorkers to make donations to plant another 500 trees in the city this spring.
 
More info: www.nyrp.org or www.milliontreesnyc.org

L’Oréal Paris Taps Madame Ines de la Fressange

Madame Ines de la Fressange, one of the first French models to achieve international acclaim, and who became the embodiment of Parisian elegance, has joined the growing family of ambassadors for L’Oréal Paris. The new spokeswoman served as Karl Lagerfeld’s muse at Chanel for several years, before creating her eponymous brand in 1991. She joins fellow L’Oréal Paris “faces,” including Milla Jovovich, Beyonce Knowles, Diane Keaton, Diane Kruger, Evangline Lilly, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Andie MacDowell, Julianna Margulies, Aimee Mullins, Freida Pinto, Gwen Stefani and Kerry Washington.

Inter Parfums Signs With Lane Bryant

Inter Parfums, Inc. has announced an exclusive agreement with Lane Bryant to design and manufacture personal care products for the brand, while the women’s plus size fashion retailer will be responsible for marketing, promoting and selling these products. The partners have developed a line of performance-based bath, body and specialty products, which will be sold under Lane Bryant’s Cacique intimate apparel brand. The initial line of products will include a lipgloss collection, and will be launched at 150 Lane Bryant stores and at www.lanebryant.com in late spring, with chain-wide rollout anticipated in early 2012.

Fusion Packaging Wins IoPP Award

Fusion Packaging has received the 2011 Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) AmeriStar Award for its Airless Square Twist Up bottle. The package was chosen from more than 100 entries in the Health & Beauty category. It was designed and engineered to include an innovative square design with a twist-to-actuate mechanism and pop-up actuator to dispense product while providing a unique look and feel. The design eliminates the need for an overcap and prevents spills and leaks in its closed and locked position.

Pochet Acquires Cosmetics Company

The Pochet group has confirmed the acquisition of 100% of the shares and votes of the Lisi Cosmetics company, via its subisidiary, Qualipac. Irene Gosset, president of the board of the Pochet group, said: “Thanks to the addition of Lisi Cosmetics’ specific know-how, especially in the field of aluminum transformation and decoration, Qualipac follows its development and will complete its portfolio of technologies and services offered to its customers.”

Kao and Henkel Named To Ethical Companies List

Kao and Henkel have once again been named as two of the World’s Most Ethical Companies 2011, by Ethisphere Institute, a U.S. think tank, which specializes in research on corporate ethics and social responsibility. Since the first listing in 2007, Kao is the only Japanese company that has been included on the list for five consecutive years. Henkel has made the list for the fourth year in a row. The ranking names a total of 110 companies selected from thousands of applicants in over 100 countries and 38 different sectors.

Anomatic Expands U.S. Facility

Anomatic Corporation, known for its metal anodizing process, has expanded its Connecticut production facility. In 2010, Anomatic reinvested $1.2 million to build a comprehensive tool and die shop and expand their metal stamping capacity. This capacity increase includes 10 new metal stamping presses and enables Anomatic to design and build tooling onsite. The Connecticut facility, which opened in 2007 with just three machines, will add an additional eight presses by July 2011; 16 presses are currently installed and capacity is expected to increase from 300 million to 500 million stamped components annually.

Elizabeth Arden, Inc. Issues Statement on Liz Taylor

Upon the passing of Elizabeth Taylor in March, Elizabeth Arden, Inc.’s chairman and chief executive officer, E. Scott Beattie, issued the following statement:

“It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Elizabeth Taylor, the legendary actress, activist and businesswoman. As her business partner in the fragrance industry, we have held her in the highest esteem and have had tremendous respect for her extraordinary compassion, creativity and business acumen.

“With the launch of her first fragrance in 1987, Elizabeth Taylor’s Passion, she built a fragrance empire and one of the most successful brands in fragrance history. White Diamonds remains a best seller almost 20 years after its 1991 introduction, a testimony to her transcendent and enduring appeal. Our best tribute to Elizabeth Taylor will be to continue the legacy of the brands she created and loved so much.

“Her sense of humor, passion for life, never-ending dedication and generosity of spirit will be remembered by all of us. She will be deeply missed.”

Flexpaq Becomes Bioplan

Socoplan, the sampling division of the French Ileos Group, and the network of five companies worldwide—Socoplan & Biopack (France), Flexpaq (USA), Flexasia (China) and Socopol (Poland)—have combined to become Bioplan. The new brand symbolizes the federation of all of the companies, while honoring the values of each one and maintaining their individual local image. The brand name Bioplan is based upon the history of the companies: Biopack was founded in 1989, and acquired in 2008 by Ileos. Socoplan was founded by M. Planchard in 1970, and acquired by Ileos in 1988. There is also a new company logo.

Nivea Celebrates 100th Anniversary

As Beiersdorf prepares for future growth, the Nivea brand, now in its 100th anniversary year, remains front and center as the world’s largest skin care brand.

Nivea Creme has been sold worldwide in the classic blue-and-white tin for almost 100 years, and has spawned an extensive product family of skin and body care products, which resulted in net sales for Beiersdorf of almost four billion Euros last year. Now, to reach new target groups, Nivea has collaborated with music superstar Rihanna on a massive digital mobilization campaign in social media, expected to generate over one billion page views in one week. Her music will be incorporated into various campaign elements. In addition, a 10 Eurocents donation will be made to children’s aid organization Plan International for each Special Edition Creme tin sold. Sales of five million tins of Nivea Creme are expected this coming year.