Beauty market continues to grow

This is reflected directly in the growth of the personal care and beauty market, not only in the UAE but also across the entire region.

Prevailing statistics are indicative of this claim with category growth of 12% annually and a market value of US$1.7 Billion, 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 U$317 per head.

All this bodes well for global trade fair specialists, Messe Frankfurt, who are set to unveil the 10th edition of Beauty World / Wellness & Spas Middle East at the Dubai World Trade Centre between 2nd - 4th May 2005. The organisers forecasts 550 exhibitors from more than 40 countries to show off the latest beauty and personal care products, cosmetics, perfumes, trade products for salons and items for the fast growing wellness and spas sector.

For the second time, Beauty World / Wellness & Spas Middle East will include a new Wellness & Spas section embracing the new trends and ways to service needs of local buyers. International statistics estimate that the category is growing at around 17-20% per annum, but it's conceivable that the figure in the Gulf could be even greater. Evidence to this is the large number of spas, resorts and complementary clinics which presently amount to 100+ in Dubai alone. By 2015 it is predicted that Dubai will be among the top spa destinations in the world with plans already drawn up for a complete wellness cluster amidst the tranquility of a landscaped setting within Healthcare City.

The youthful and image conscious population has driven retail growth in recent years and attracted major international stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Debenhams and Harvey Nichols. Comparable local retailers such as the UAE's Paris Gallery and Saudi-based Gazzaz have for many years, enjoyed leadership in the sector. According to Diana Taylor, exhibition manager, "the Middle East a magnet for beauty and personal care suppliers where growth is hard to find elsewhere, especially in comparison with Europe."

As a trade forum, Beauty World / Wellness & Spas Middle East has proved to be an invaluable trading platform to satisfy this demand. Mrs. Taylor says that "over the last 10 years the show has tripled in size, now spanning three massive halls with attendance rising 33% year on year and a visitor figure expecting to be over 8,000."

Prominent brands such as Montale, Babor, LCN, Biodroga, La Phyto, Diana of London are all regular exhibitors at the show. Beauty World / Wellness & Spas Middle East has now become an exhibition not to be missed for manufactures supplying the region that want to take advantage of the continual market growth.

The Wellness & Spas section also promises to be the biggest to date featuring a wide range of major suppliers. These include the award winning Spa Jet multi-sensory body capsule systems from Sybaritic, launched at the show for the first time in the region. Tara Belmont Corporation - one of the world's leading manufactures of spa equipment, furniture, hair cosmetics and designers and builders of a majority of the world's top salons will be presenting their latest equipment at the show. Beautymed, a specialty skincare company will be presenting a series of professional "super concentrate serums" that are preventive, corrective, restorative and precise in purpose. Ultratone will be launching their revolutionary electronic muscle toning equipment, the Platnium Futra Pro that combines optic light with myo stimulation, microcurrents, ultracell and ultrasound - an all in one masterpiece for professional therapists. Woojin System, specialists in healthcare equipment for physical therapy, obesity control and skin care will be introducing the "Jet-Vibe" the newest concept complex fitness system to give maximum effect in minimum time without undue burden on joints and other parts of the body through vibration exercise.

In addition to the many international exhibitors, local manufactures and suppliers play a major role in Beauty World / Wellness & Spas Middle East. Beauty Leaders, the primary establishment in the Gulf & Middle East for providing turn-key spa solutions for the wellness & spa, beauty and health sectors will be launching several new revolutionary systems and products which will take the services of beauty, wellness and leisure to a higher level. Other such as Dubai based Soft & Shine beauty will present their Su-do products used for sunless tanning, hair art, body art and nail art.

Major international groups and multi-national suppliers remain a major part of Beauty World / Wellness & Spas Middle East. National pavilions from Germany, France, Italy, UK, Spain, Turkey, USA, Brazil, Korea, Thailand, China, Indonesia and Argentina will be on show together with exhibits from the world's leading manufacturers such as Takara Belmont, Orly, Bettina Barty, Juvenage, Virty, and l'Acqua di Fiori.