It is no secret that British women like treating themselves to a little something. Nor is it news that a significant chunk of UK-based consumers classify retail as a hobby rather than a chore. And both these behaviours continue to benefit the UK’s beauty and personal care market, which enjoyed another robust year in 2013, increasing 2.8% on 2012 to reach £10.9bn, according to Euromonitor International.
Winners & losers
The UK market witnessed growth in nearly all areas in 2013, with the notable exception of sun care, which decreased -2.9% in value to £265.9m. While the sun protection sub-category boosted sales in volume terms (the result of a mild heatwave last July), sun care overall “was greatly affected by the fake tanning trend wearing off,” according to Clémence Martin Saint Leon, Research Analyst at Euromonitor.