23 Perfume Industry Statistics to Catch a Whiff of Right Now
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Many people view perfumes as the less profitable sidekick to makeup in the cosmetics industry. It’s a well-kept secret, though, that the fragrance industry is one of the most lucrative and successful industries in cosmetics worldwide.
These perfume industry statistics show the scope of selling scent worldwide and the popularity of a good perfume in the UK. Learn about the average fragrance consumer’s habits, and the real power of smelling good, even during the pandemic.
Top Perfume Industry Stats (Editor’s Picks):
- The global fragrance market is worth £40.7 billion.
- France has a 27% market share in total perfume exports.
- The perfume industry in the UK takes up 2.5% of the cosmetics industry.
- 54% of Brits use perfumes regularly.
- Chanel is the favourite perfume brand for 4.9 million women in the UK.
- The wholesale perfume and cosmetics industry will bring revenue of £6.99 billion in the UK in 2022.
- Conversations on social media about fragrance increased by 11% since the first lockdown.
- 49% of people that regularly wear a fragrance did so less during the pandemic.
Worldwide Fragrance Industry Statistics
The global fragrance industry is a hidden goldmine, bringing in billions of pounds every year worldwide. France may be the leading country in exporting perfumes, but countries like Spain and Germany aren’t far behind. Major brand names like L’Oreal and Dior continue to make billions off of this staple cosmetic, despite changing times all over the world.
1. The global fragrance market is worth £40.7 billion.
(Verified Market Search)
The perfume market size shows no sign of decreasing any time soon. Notably, experts predict that the industry will reach £62 billion by the end of 2028, with a CAGR of 5.8%. Increases in financial well-being and a growing trend of grooming drives the expansion of this already established industry, experts suggest.
2. Perfume sales were up 45% in the first quarter of 2021.
(Business Insider)
In 2019, perfume sales statistics showed a 27% increase in sales, a drastic difference compared to post-pandemic numbers of almost double. While the pandemic caused most of the cosmetics industry to suffer, fragrances were the one product that seemed to gain in popularity. Perfume market research suggests the increase was due to the small source of comfort a pleasing smell can provide someone, even in a time of uncertainty.
3. France has a 27% market share in total perfume exports.
(World’s Top Exports)
France is notorious for its perfume brands. In 2020, the country gained £3 billion in fragrance exports. Spain also holds a significant market share at 10.1%, with a fragrance market value of over £1 billion that same year. Other states with larger shares are Germany, the United States, and Italy.
4. Fragrances make up 9% of the total L’Oreal sales.
(L’Oreal)
L’Oreal is one of the companies that dictate perfume industry stats by owning various famous fragrance brands. Still, most of its sales come from skincare, with 39.5%, and makeup, with 21%.
5. Dior’s cosmetics and perfumes sector generated £4.4 billion during 2020.
(Statista)
It may seem like 2020 was a good year for Dior’s cosmetics and fragrances sector, but according to the worldwide perfume distribution, Dior gained over £5.8 billion in 2019, and £5 billion in 2018, showing a slow decline in profitability for the famous luxury brand.
6. 9% of brands promoted fragrances via ambassadors.
(mmi Analytics)
Including famous people in fragrance marketing is not a new thing. Most brands, however, still choose not to involve popular figures in promotion strategies. In 2020, fewer brands chose brand ambassadors for product marketing than in 2019, with 12%. And this choice seems surprising, because when a celebrity reveals their favourite perfume, its popularity soars almost instantly.
The UK Perfume Market Analysis
The UK may not be one of the leading countries in the production of perfumes and fragrances, but it is one of the world’s greatest consumers of them. As a billion dollar industry, the UK predictably purchases scents every year, accounting for 2.5% of the entire British cosmetics industry.
7. The wholesale perfume and cosmetics industry will bring revenue of £6.99 billion in the UK in 2022.
(Statista)
According to the latest perfume industry statistics, the fragrance and cosmetics revenue in the UK has shown slight variances for the last three years, despite the pandemic. In 2020, revenues amounted to £6.5 billion, an increase from 2019 and £6.4 billion. 2021 saw a slight increase, with £6.7 million in revenue.
8. The total sales value of fragrances in the UK was £1.6 billion in 2020.
(Statista)
The market value of perfumes in the country is still recovering from a decrease during 2020. Compared to the industry high in 2019 of £1.8 billion, Brits have shown that they are dependable in how much they spend on their favourite scent. With small fluctuations in profit from year to year, even during the pandemic, fragrances remained a staple product for many.
9. The perfume industry in the UK takes up 2.5% of the cosmetics industry.
(Statista)
Despite fragrances being the smallest share of the cosmetics market, it still holds an important place. Toiletries account for the majority of this sector, accounting for 58%, while skin and hair care tie with 16% each.
Facts about Perfume Consumers
Perfume marketing depends largely on knowing who and why people buy fragrances to begin with. About half of the UK is buying fragrances on a regular basis, while others see it as a luxury just for special occasions. Still, prestige brands like Chanel, Dior, and Yves St. Laurent continue to be the preference of British women, as opposed to mass-produced generic scents.
10. 54% of Brits use perfumes regularly.
(Statista)
While products for oral and dental care are the most widely used cosmetic products, more than half of Brits use fragrances on a regular basis. Notably, perfumes were more regularly used than decorative cosmetics such as lipstick or mascara, with just 35% of respondents reporting regular use.
11. 8.3 million women in Britain use fragrances every day.
(Statista)
Perfume industry statistics report that 2.7 million women from the UK use their perfume more than once a day, and 4.5 million use it two or three times a week. Men aren’t excluded from the fragrance picture either, with 4.04 million UK men reporting wearing Calvin Klein, alone.
12. 1.5 million females in the UK use perfume once a month or less.
(Statista)
Not all women have a favourite perfume or any perfume at all. Perfume industry facts show that around 1.4 million women from Great Britain reach for their fragrance only 2 or 3 times a month.
13. 29% of Brits purchase one or two perfumes in a period of 12 months.
(Statista)
The frequency of purchasing perfume is significantly lower than that over other decorative cosmetics. About 8% of the UK claimed they bought three to four fragrances during a year, according to perfume industry analysis, while 2% of them bought five or six. Finally, 4% of people had bought more than seven perfumes in the last 12 months.
14. Chanel is the favourite perfume brand for 4.9 million women in the United Kingdom.
(Statista)
According to the latest data available, Channel has the largest portion of perfume industry revenue out of all brands in the UK. Dior was a close second, chosen by 3.8 million women. Furthermore, 3.7 million women prefer Calvin Klein, and 3.1 million women chose perfumes by Yves Saint Laurent.
15. 85% of respondents in Turkey wear perfume regularly.
(Statista)
Perfume consumption by country is highest in Turkey, Argentina, Serbia, Nigeria, and Poland, with close to 80% or more respondents loving to spritz on perfume regularly. Countries that aren’t so keen on using perfume frequently are Japan, China, the US, and Finland.
Premium Perfume Industry Stats
Premium perfumes are prestigious for a reason. They last longer, have nuanced scents, and usually incorporate exotic or rare ingredients within them. Of course, they also come at a higher cost, establishing not just a quality product but a lifestyle that goes with its use.
16. Premium perfume products have a 60% market share.
(IMARC)
Products by more luxurious brands have the largest fragrance market size, while mass fragrances account for 40% of the market. Premium perfumes not only promise better ingredients and longer lasting power (although there are tricks for that!) but also become a unique signifier of someone’s personal style.
17. Prestige cosmetics and fragrances bring £54 million in annual revenue worldwide.
(Statista)
With a CAGR of 7.2%, the industry is predicted to continuously expand, with many consumers preferring prestige fragrances to generic, mass-produced products. Notably, the largest revenue comes from Japan, at £1.2 million annually.
18. Fine female fragrances have a market value of over £944,000 in the UK.
(Statista)
Data on fragrance market segmentation shows that women from the United Kingdom prefer luxurious brands for their fragrances over mass-produced ones. Notably, the market value of mass-produced perfumes is significantly lower, sitting at £104,000.
19. The market value of fine male fragrances in the UK amounts to £553,000.
(Statista)
Perfume industry trends indicate that both men and women in the UK spend more on designer perfume brands than generic, mass-produced fragrance products. The market value of mass male colognes is only £86 thousand.
20. The prestige fragrance market in the UK experienced a 13% decline post-lockdown.
(The Fragrance Foundation UK)
People spend money differently after the lockdown, and luxury perfume is not among the priorities. The future of the perfume industry for luxurious brands seems bright, however, bouncing back much quicker than the rest of the prestige cosmetics industry. The whole sector experienced a 24% decline after the first quarantine, which is 11% more than the numbers for perfumes.
The Perfume Industry during COVID
COVID-19 changed the behaviour of consumers across all industries, but the fragrance market did surprisingly well. Studies have shown that scent can uplift mood and change how someone even thinks. During the pandemic, fragrances appeared to remain a small luxury that consumers deemed appropriate during trying times.
21. Conversations on social media about fragrance increased by 11% since the lockdown.
(The Fragrance Foundation UK)
According to the perfume industry report by The Fragrance Foundation UK, more people discussed fragrances on social media during the pandemic than ever before. The majority of posts covered topics of how scents improve mood and decrease stress.
22. 13% of British adults aged 35 to 44 were likely to purchase perfumes after lockdown measures were removed.
(Statista)
A study on fragrance industry analysis explored the products users were most willing to buy after the easing of lockdown. Around 9% of those aged 25 to 34 and 7% of those from 16 to 24 could not wait to purchase perfume.
23. 49% of people that regularly wear a fragrance did so less during the pandemic.
(NPD)
Research on the perfume industry growth and changes during the pandemic showed that many people’s perfume habits have changed. The majority of survey participants claimed they would go back to their old habits as soon as the situation improves. Furthermore, many turned to home scents to replace perfumes, with 85% of respondents reporting purchasing some type of scent for their homes last year.
Final Thoughts on Fragrance Industry Statistics
About 75% of our emotions during the day come from our sense of smell, making fragrance an important part of daily life. Statistics on the industry prove this claim, as the perfume industry experienced one of the largest comebacks in the cosmetics field.
Perfume industry statistics show that while common cosmetic luxuries such as lipstick and mascara waned during the pandemic, fragrances became a small go-to luxury to boost mood and help cope with the stresses of a global crisis.
FAQ
How much is the perfume industry worth?
Worldwide stats on the perfume industry show that the global fragrance market is valued at over £40 billion. According to the latest predictions, this number will rise to £62 billion in the next few years. The sales value for perfumes in the United Kingdom sat at £1.6 billion in 2020, with the fragrance section accounting for around 2.5% of the total market share for the cosmetics industry.
How big is the perfume industry?
The perfume world is a billion-dollar industry. The current market is worth £40 billion, and perfume sales alone brought £1.6 billion to the UK in 2020. In comparison, the revenue of the American perfume and fragrance manufacturing industry was worth £2.6 billion in 2021.
Is the perfume industry growing?
The perfume industry is growing. Despite expected declines due to changes in consumer behaviour during the pandemic, the sector is regaining its value rapidly. Experts predict a CAGR of around 5% or more in the next few years, showing a promising future for the fragrance industry for years to come.
How profitable is the perfume industry?
The fragrance industry is one of the most lucrative cosmetic industries in the world. The profit margin of the international flavours and fragrances industry has been remarkable in the last few years. For instance, the percentage of revenue companies held onto after they deduced all of their expenses was at 1.71% in 2021. The markup for retail perfumes is usually anywhere from 80% to 100%.
Which country is famous for perfumes?
France is the home of the most famous perfume companies, and it holds a market share of over 27% of total exported perfumes globally. In 2020, this country gained £3 billion in fragrance exports. Spain comes in second with a 10% market share, while Germany is in third place with just over 9%. According to the latest perfume industry statistics, other countries with a larger share are the United States, Italy, and Singapore.
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