U.S. skin care product sales growth via different sales channels 2017

In 2017, U.S. multi-outlets increased their skincare product sales by 4.4 percent compared to the previous year. That year, drug stores grew their sales by three percent, respectively.

Purchasing behavior in the United States

Two of the most profitable sales channels for skincare products in the United States in 2017 were multi-outlets and drug stores. Multi-outlets, which include grocery, drug, mass, military, and select club and dollar retailers, generated more than 3.69 billion U.S. dollars in skincare revenue. That year, most U.S. consumers turned to “Big-Box” retailers like Walmart or Target for their beauty purchases, instead of more specialized shops.

Online sales: the future of the beauty industry?

In a survey conducted in 2017, only 2.5 percent of respondents over the age of 18 reported purchasing all their skincare and cosmetic products online. In fact, the majority of respondents spent less than ten percent of their total beauty spending online. The most important segment for online beauty retailing are millennials, customers between the ages of 18 to 34, who are most likely to turn to online shopping for their beauty needs. As today’s skincare market is driven by a younger generation, online outlets will play a bigger role in the beauty industry of the future.