Executive Summary

• The traditional mass-market fragrance business is struggling as consumers seek fragrance brands that are more “upmarket.” Following a boom in celebrity and mass-market fragrance sales that lasted for several years, consumers are shifting away from these products.
• We are seeing demand move toward prestige and niche fragrances, which are showing strong sales performance.
• Foot traffic is declining in US department stores, traditionally the main fragrance retail channel, and beauty and fragrance sales continue to shift to specialist beauty retail chains Ulta and Sephora, as well as to off-price retailers and the online channel.
• Other notable recent fragrance trends include growth in scented products for the home and green and aromatherapy scents and mists.