GCC consumers spend $9.3 billion on beauty, personal care products

Consumers in the GCC want to both look good and feel good, as is evidenced by the 10 per cent increase in spending on beauty and personal care products in 2016, compared to 2015, new data has shown.
Figures released by Euromonitor International (EMI) show that the retail value of the GCC's beauty and personal care market was $9.3 billion in 2016. Strong growth is expected over the next four years, as consumers look to collectively spend $13.6 billion on their personal well-being in 2020, defying any notion of a market readjustment.
The figures include bath and shower products, colour cosmetics, fragrances, hair care, men's grooming, skin care, and sun care, while regional growth is driven by a young and affluent population that has high awareness of fashion and beauty, boosted by media exposure. In the UAE, it was found that consumers spent $2.1 billion on beauty and personal care in 2016, and according to EMI, this figures is set to rise to $2.7 billion by 2020. The top five categories are fragrances, worth $642 million; colour cosmetics, worth $400 million; skin care and men's grooming, both worth $300 million; and hair care, worth $283 million. The vibrant market sets the tone and lays the foundation for the return this year of Beautyworld Middle East, the region's largest international trade fair for beauty products, hair, fragrances, and wellbeing.
Taking place from May 14-16, 2017 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the 22nd edition of the three-day event is expected to feature more than 1,500 exhibitors from 60 countries. Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said that while the UAE and GCC is a key focal point, international interest from both visitors and exhibitors alike has put Beautyworld Middle East firmly at the centre of the global beauty and wellbeing industry.
The strong international flavour will be underlined by 21 country pavilions from Argentina, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Brazil, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Korea, Morocco, Pakistan, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, and the USA.
"Beautyworld Middle East's internationality is integral to the overall success of the show, which is why we're seeing participating exhibitors and visitors from every corner of the world," said Pauwels. "While half of the 37,000-plus beauty professionals and trade buyers are from the GCC, more and more are coming from Iran, Africa, Europe, and as far away as Australia, and North ?and South America.
"Almost all spheres of the industry are represented, which makes it a far-reaching platform that caters to all needs, whether that be niche players looking to establish themselves, or large-scale multinationals eager to consolidate their presence," added Pauwels.
Beautyworld Middle East 2017 comprises the key product groups of Hair, Nails & Salon Supplies, Cosmetics & Skincare, Machinery, Packaging, & Raw Materials, Professional Equipment, Spa & Wellness, Fragrance Compounds & Finished Fragrance. This year sees the introduction of a Personal Care & Hygiene product group, which will host more than 100 exhibitors, spanning an entire hall. - rohma@khaleejtimes.com