Blush with success: Beauty industry sales soar

The beauty industry in the United States logged some impressive gains in the first half of the year. A Circana report finds that sales at mass merchants increased 4% to $34.6 billion, largely on the strength of fragrance sales and hair products. The makeup sector was essentially flat, though lip products fared well. “The beauty industry’s latest results are indicative of a consumer who is focused on efficacy and elevated value,” says Larissa Jensen, global beauty industry adviser at Circana, noting that only 14% of beauty consumers believe that higher prices indicate a better-quality product. In further proof of the segment’s strength, beauty retailer Ulta just reported a 9.3% sales increase in its second quarter.