At a time when many consumers are shopping smarter and spending more apprehensively than ever – the latest US economic data shows consumer spending continues to slow – the retail market has experienced a challenging few years. However, these challenges have not been evident across all retail sectors, with one market leader noting that the beauty industry has continued to grow as a result of rising demand for personal care products. APG Packaging, a specialist solutions provider offering innovative bottle, tub and dispenser designs, cites this increasing demand from end users as a major driver of the boost seen across the packaging industry.

According to a recent report by Allied Market Research, the global cosmetics market is expected to be worth nearly $430 billion by 2022. While there are many factors contributing to the rising demand, APG Packaging’s unique insight suggests that increasing awareness of natural product benefits and an uptick in marketing are two of the biggest drivers of improved sales. Grand View Research predicts that the natural beauty industry will show a 5% CAGR from 2019 – 2025 as both men and women increase their spending on natural beauty and cosmetics.

This demand from end users is translating into demand for innovative packaging that meets evolving user expectations. While sustainability has long been a priority for APG Packaging, the increased demand and manufacturing boost that has been experienced recently has resulted in the organization introducing a number of new eco-friendly solutions and environmentally-friendly packaging ranges. These include a new patented all-plastic Infinity Pump which does not require a metal spring, and an airless refillable which maintains the stability of natural ingredients.

Armin Arminak, EVP of R&D at APG Packaging said, “It’s no secret that these have been a rough few years for retail, but it’s fantastic to see that the beauty industry has been remaining strong throughout. We’ve witnessed a significant spike in demand from our customers, especially for sustainable solutions, which has sparked a new focus for APG Packaging as we divert more of our efforts towards creating responsible options which help our brands meet the needs of their customer base.”

A love for natural products and sustainable beauty is not the only factor contributing towards the growing demand across the personal care sector. A continuous rise in GDP, social media influence and growing awareness of the benefits of beauty products for both men and women are also believed to play a role. As is the ageing population, with the Cosmetics Products Market Report 2019 estimating that the average life expectancy for women will rise to 86.3 years by 2050, up from 82.8 years in 2005. With a predicted growing interest in maintaining a youthful appearance, it is expected that this demand for beauty, and boost to the packaging industry, will continue.