Daily Research News Online no. 3238 - Beautiful, Healthy Germans

Beautiful, Healthy Germans

July 2 2004

The German health and beauty market is the biggest in Western Europe, valued at almost 40 billion Euros in 2003 according to MINTEL - this reflects not just Germany's size but a greater level of awareness and concern with their wellbeing and appearance.

Germany accounts for over 30% of specialist sales generated by the six countries covered in the report, 'Health and Beauty Retailing in Europe'. Market size is estimated at 31 billion Euros in France, 19 billion Euros in the UK, 17 billion Euros in Italy and 16 billion Euros in Spain. The Spanish market grew the fastest between 1999 and 2003, by c.34%, and looks set to continue - MINTEL estimates further growth of 28% from 17 billion Euros in 2004 to 22 billion Euros in 2008. This compares with less than 5% growth predicted for Italy, and reflects generally strong retail growth in Spain.

The German lead is not just the result of larger population, according to MINTEL - Germans are actually more concerned with looking attractive and well groomed, with almost three-quarters (72%) owning up to this versus 60% of British, 45% of French and just over one in four (28%) Spanish adults. Germnay also has the highest proportion of adults using products that keep their skin young and supple - 46%, compared with 35% in France, 29% in Great Britain and 20% in Spain.

Among the other findings of the report:

Germans are the most health conscious, with 43% having regular check-ups just to make sure things are in order, whereas the British are the least likely to have consulted a doctor in the last 12 months - just over half (52%) have done so, compared to around 70% in France and Germany and as many as 74% of adults in Spain. 'British adults are the least likely visit to the doctor - they only go to the doctor if they are really ill, and they are also the most likely to wait for an ailment to go on its own without taking medication', says MINTEL's Jenny Catlin, adding that the British may also find it difficult to get to see a doctor in some cases
British usage of sun protection products has actually declined over the past two years. Last year around three in five (59%) British women used sun protection products compared to almost 70% in 2001. The decline has been even more pronounced amongst British men. In 2003, 45% of British men used these products, versus 57% in 2001 (perhaps it's the lack of sun / hot holidays? - Ed.
In sales terms Boots has managed to maintain its position as Europe's leading health and beauty specialist. In 2003, Boots generated an additional turnover of some 0.9 million Euros over the number two player, Schlecker. AS Watson Europe, Celesio and dm-drogerie make up the top five and the order has not changed over the past two years.

The report covers the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. In France, Spain and Germany 10, 000 people were questioned and in Great Britain 25, 000.

www.mintel.com

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.