Gaining Ground in a Global Market

Welcome to Beauty Packaging’s 5th annual Top 20 issue, in which we provide an overall look at the leading players in the global beauty/personal care market. What were their successful strategies for gaining ground and increasing sales in the past year? How are they positioning themselves for future growth? No matter where in the world these companies are based, one commonality in particular stands out: an overriding interest in global expansion—and high on almost everyone’s list is China. Despite a slowing U.S. and European economy, many of our Top 20 companies attributed a profitable year to steady growth levels in Asia. And with good reason: According to market researcher Mintel, more than 3,400 new beauty and personal care products were launched in China in 2007.
  
Key to expansion is innovation—another priority cited by our Top 20 leaders. In fact, A.G. Lafley, chairman and CEO of Procter & Gamble—once again at the top of our list—says innovation and investment are at the crux of his company’s success. According to Lafley, P&G invests more than $2 billion a year in R&D, “nearly twice the level of our closest competitor, Unilever, and roughly equal to the combined total of our other major competitors—Avon, Clorox, Colgate, Energizer, Henkel, Kimberly-Clark, L’Oréal, and Reckitt Benckiser.”
  
Innovation was also in full swing at this year’s HBA Global Expo, and you can read about some of the standout packaging developments on page 42 of this issue. Environmentally friendly solutions continued to be of great interest—and there were many to consider.
  
With the holiday season upon us, green takes on a dual meaning in retail sales. In “Ready, Sets, Go,” Leah Genuario uncovers not only what brands did to boost gift set sales, but also how, in many cases, they made them eco-friendly as well. In “The Skinny on Skin Care,” Leah explores why skin care packaging has come to play a critical role in consumers’ product choices. “Pushing the Color Envelope,” by Lindsay Elkins, looks at color cosmetics brands that have taken on the green in packaging options, and those that have broken away from standard black-and-white components to focus on certain hues for instant brand recognition.
  
We hope you enjoy this issue—and please check out www.beautypackaging.com for online exclusives and additional photos.

Jamie Matusow
[email protected]