In a global context marked by strong gains in emerging markets and very dynamic sales in the U.S. and UK (respectively 11% and 9%), the prestige beauty market in France (mostly high-end cosmetics sold selective retail channels) grew by 3% in 2011 to reach 2.9 billion euros, according to the French branch of the market research firm NPD.

Like in other European countries, the growth of prestige beauty in France was driven by sales of perfumes (+4%) and makeup (+4%), while skincare slightly decreased (-1%) even if anti-aging achieved a slight growth (+1.6%), still propelled by serums sales (+16%), the most innovative and technical segment in this category.

Perfumes have benefited from good sales during the year’s key events: Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and especially Christmas and New year. "The year ended very well in France. The Christmas season, which is decisive for the market, has experienced strong growth (+8% in value during the month of December)," said NPD.

As a consequence, the perfume category weighs even more heavily in French prestige beauty sales. It now represents 67% of sales, against 19% for the skincare category and 15% for the makeup category.

As far as makeup is concerned, colour cosmetics boosted the market, with strong growth for lipsticks (+14%), nail polishes (+20%) and eye shadows (+7%).