How is the cosmetics industry doing in 2022? This is the question that Emmanuel Guichard, the General Delegate of the FEBEA, tried to answer in his opening speech of the 5th RQC (Cosmetic Quality Meeting), which took place on October 19 and 20, 2022 in Paris.
“French cosmetics are doing well, thanks to their quality,” introduced Emmanuel Guichard, “but in a contrasted context. On the one hand, French cosmetics are world leaders thanks to exports. On the other hand, the domestic market is doing less well.”
Mixed situation in the French market
Half of French products are sold in selective distribution, in the hairdresser network and on the Internet. This niche market has returned to about the same level as in 2019, helped by the influx of tourists this summer, particularly in department stores.
On the other hand, things look much worse in the mass retail sector. The current inflation will see prices increase by around 10% in food, while those of cosmetics will remain the same.
“It’s an effect of the French Egalim law,” explained Emmanuel Guichard, “which means that, as much as farmers have the possibility to renegotiate tariffs, for other sectors, the renegotiation is multiannual. So, it’s more or less fine when we sell selectively, but it’s much more complicated for the supermarket sector, which represents 10 to 15% of our products.”
Export performance
On the export side, everything is going very well. Already in 2021, the level of exports had exceeded that …
