Beauty market witnesses unprecedented growth

This factor contributes significantly to the growth in personal care, cosmetics and beauty products available across the globe. This not only applies universally to the female market, but also the male market, which benefits from the boost in attention to detail within the male grooming sector. According to a global study released by ACNielsen in 2003, sales of male-orientated products, which saw an increase of 11%, grew twice as fast as those of female-orientated products, which saw an increase of 5%. Developing economies in Latin America, parts of Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa experienced the fastest growth, with a number of categories expanding by double digits.

In the Middle East specifically, the beauty and grooming sector is undergoing unprecedented growth. Prevailing statistics reveal a category growth of 12% annually and market value of $US1.7 Billion which is expected to exceed US$ 2.1 Billion this year, according to official reports. Consumption of cosmetics and fragrances in the Gulf States is one of the highest per capita in the world, with the average purchase estimated to be in the region of US $ 334 per head. Projections by Euromonitor estimates the total cosmetics and toiletries market in the UAE alone was worth $414.2 million at retail sales value in 2004, an increase from $382.5 million in 2002, and from $229 million in 1997.

All of this bodes well for the 11th edition of Beautyworld Middle East and Wellness & Spas Middle East, which is expected to attract over 750 exhibitors from 45 countries, a projected growth of 40% compared to last year. Thousands of the latest products and services will be showcased at the show including perfumes, cosmetics, skin care, nail care, body care, hair products, salon and wellness equipment, natural products, ingredients and raw materials, packaging, wellness and spa centres. Several national pavilions from numerous countries such as Germany, Turkey, France, Spain, Italy, UK, USA, Brazil, Thailand, Korea, Egypt, Singapore and Iran will have a strong presence at the show.

According to Diana Taylor, group exhibitions manager of organiser Messe Frankfurt, Beautyworld's success is attributable to a variety of reasons.

"The Beauty World brand is regarded by professionals as the leading event for the entire beauty industry. With other Beautyworld events running in Germany, Japan and Argentina, the word has quickly spread that Dubai is the right place to be to access the fast growing markets in the Arabian Gulf."

One of the very latest products that we will be exhibited at the show for the first time in the Middle East is the Power-Plate; this is a revolutionary fitness machine used by celebrities and professional athletes from all over the world and is a winner of 5 international awards including the best "Anti-Aging Machine. This advanced training system can be adapted to your desired fitness level and help you tone, lose weight, build muscle, reduce cellulite and produce collagen.

Spa Holistics, a distributor of innovative skin care products and technologies in the Middle East will be featuring the award winning slimming machine, Watermass, that uses the mechanical slimming method of "traditional palpate and roll".

Major brands will also be showing of their latest products, styles and designs at the show including Pretty Woman, Kinetics, Jessica, Noorani, Bella Lucce, Bettina Barty, Tweezerman, Eve Taylor , Nouba, Kryolan, L'Acqua di Fiori, Karaja, California Tan, Biodroga, Ecrinal, Pfeilring, LCN, Urban Rituals, Dancohr, Balnea, Massor, Phytomer, Bajoul, Nailstation, Charme d'Orient, Kadus, Babor, Omnilux, Maxcare, Diana of London, LIVE, Grosly.

Live events will also be taking place at the show including the "Walk of Beauty" sponsored by Kadus. Over 20 leading hairstylists, beauticians and make-up artists will present their talents to live audiences throughout the 3 day event. Featuring glamorous catwalk models, 8 shows will be staged daily, each one demonstrating the very latest trends in creativity and fashion. In addition, Beautyworld Middle East's first ever National Nail Competition will be held at the show this year.