There's been quite a flurry of activity here today which is nice given the doom and gloom about the economy. Whether the cosmetics' market proves to be recession-proof remains to be seen, however, and we cannot be smug or complacent. Traditionally, people (or women!) have continued to buy their favourite skincare and make-up products in an economic downturn but the industry is in uncharted territory at the moment.
SPC, our industry mag, explains it well in this month's editorial:
"The idea is that if people can't afford a car or a designer dress, they can at least treat themselves to the designer's fragrance or a nice lipstick."
Editor Clare Henderson goes on to say: "But when things get as serious as they seem to be doing at the moment perhaps that traditional thinking now sounds a little too optimistic.
"For the moment, premiumisation continues to be a strong trend, with consumers determined to get their hands on products that work, while niche is still a great draw for those looking for something different."
She adds: "But in the current economic climate can this be sustained indefinitely? And, what of the superluxe sector? Is this customer pool likely to take a temporary dip?" And concludes: "We can at least be confident that people will always buy personal care products. For the time being though, it's a question of which ones."
Despite being 87 years old, Queen hasn't really been here before. Our marketplace was well-heeled, fashionable young women in the 1930s, 40s and 50s and this was our heyday. These customers seemed to have sensible heads on their shoulders. In an interview with Lady Dartmouth (better known as Countess Raine Spencer) in the Observer in the 1960s, she said she had always used Queen products as they were "terribly cheap and terribly pure"!
This says to me that there wasn't a need to spend or be seen to spend a fortune on products (or there weren't the highly expensive luxury brands around then that there are now) but that efficacy was the most important factor.
Hopefully, this will stand us in good stead as will the fact that we have a niche, namely sensitive skin. Our products are, we believe, excellent value and, most importantly, they do work. Maybe we will even benefit from people 'downgrading' and looking for quality cosmetics at reasonable prices. We will see.
Anyway, I thought I might just spend a few moments blowing our own trumpet.
Someone writes after trialling our organic formula moisturiser:
"I was wondering when you were planning on launching this as I love it. I have quite sensitive skin and this is just perfect, no irritation or redness, and it's lovely and rich, without being too heavy.
"I suffer terribly in winter from dry and reddened skin, and my normal day cream isn't sufficient. I've tried others and usually end up going back to Origins Never Say Dry, but it's really a bit too heavy."
Hurrah. We know it's good but it's always good to hear it!
Off to catch the post. Have a good weekend.
The Queen Team
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