Makeup sales rise through first 10 months of 2011, report says
Makeup has been a massive seller this year as beauty-minded customers picked up 117 million units of various products, worth about $2.8 billion, a report said.
Over the first 10 months of 2011, dollar sales of makeup jumped 8% while unit sales rose 5% compared with the same period last year, according to research firm NPD Group.
Every segment saw dollar growth. Nail product sales swelled 59% year-over-year while eye products increased 10%. Lip products earned manufacturers 8% more revenue while facial cosmetics were on a 7% upswing.
Popular products included concealer, foundation, eye shadow and lip color.
Many major players in the industry have reported healthy sales this year. French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH — which owns brands such as Christian Dior, Guerlain and Givenchy as well as the makeup retailer Sephora — said its perfume and cosmetics segment increased 3% in the first nine months of the year.
In October, Avon Products Inc. said its cosmetics sales in the third quarter rose 4%. Estee Lauder Cos., which owns the Clinique, Origins, M.A.C. and other brands, said its revenue jumped 13% for its fiscal year ended June 30.
More than a quarter of sales by Estee Lauder companies took place at North American department stores.
