Pulse August 2016 | Page 56

ASK THE EXPERT JAMIE MILLS BY MAE MAÑACAP-JOHNSON Canadean—a market research and analysis provider of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) markets, which include beverages, food, retail and cosmetics—offers insights on the latest consumer behaviors and demands in its Top Trends in Beauty and Grooming report. ASSOCIATE ANALYST JAMIE MILLS gives a deeper analysis on key trends shaping in the beauty industry, how men’s grooming routines have evolved and what beauty innovations are trending across the globe. Pulse: Can you provide information about how the study was conducted? Jamie Mills: The brief, Top Trends in Beauty & Grooming, was published in February 2016. Canadean constantly monitors developments in categories across the fast-moving consumer goods landscape, as well as the evolving habits of consumers, ingredients and flavor trends, and more. Our coverage spans the past, present and future, to understand the realities of today, and the opportunities of tomorrow—meaning you can gain the early-mover advantages necessary for growth. The analysis features insights from our primary research inputs in the form of Canadean’s global consumer surveys. This includes two of our most recent surveys. First is the Canadean’s Q4 Global Survey 2015, conducted in December 2015 (with 27,185 respondents across 31 countries). The other survey is the Canadean’s Q2 Global Survey 2015, conducted in April/May 2015 (with 24,500 respondents across 25 countries). P: Are there glaring differences globally on consumer behaviors toward beauty and grooming? M: Behaviors in the beauty space vary greatly across regions and this has had a profound impact on global approaches. One region which has rapidly grown in prominence through influencing beauty innovations and trends globally is Asia. Asian beauty regimens and requirements differ greatly from those across the world, making them pioneers in new products, functionality and applications. South Korea and Japan, in particular, are among the strong players that set the beauty standard globally. This is evident in the explosion of “alphabet cream innovation” (i.e., BB creams) which migrated from Asia to the West a few years ago but had already 54 PULSE ■ August 2016 been very well-established in beauty regimens for Asian consumers. Similarly, this region continues to influence with trends such as beauty oils and multi-step regimens, which are making significant inroads in global beauty routines, capitalizing on consumer demands for more effective, novel solutions to achieve their beauty goals. P: The report noted that 71 percent of consumers globally believe in the benefits of superfruits. Can you share some similar key percentage data that highlight consumer preferences on beauty ingredients found in their products? M: Canadean’s research shows that over half (56 percent) of consumers globally would choose fewer chemicals or processed ingredients over more functionality when purchasing beauty and grooming products. This is indicative of the growing awareness and concerns over chemical and synthetic formulations. It also highlights how historical perceptions of naturally formulated products being less effective are changing, with trust in their efficacy growing. According to Canadean’s Q2 global consumer survey 2015, natural ingredients which consumers perceive to be effective in beauty and grooming products include: l Green tea – 74 percent of consumers globally believe it to be effective. l Coconut oil – 64 percent of consumers globally believe it to be effective. P: In terms of innovation, what are examples of innovative approaches that are helping to change the beauty and grooming space? M: Linked to the key trends we’ve identified impacting the