by Cat Renwick, category analyst, part of Monthly Retailer Category Tips
Read on for creative ideas to drive sales in your skin care department!
In the skin care category in the independent pharmacy channel, private label is among the top five selling brands1, indicating that even in a beauty category consumers are looking for relief from inflation by turning to this less expensive option. Check to see if you are missing any private label products across the skin care subcategories and add them to your assortment. Incorporate signs at shelf for new items so customers see these products that will help their pocketbook and your profits.
Of the 280 new skin care items launched in 2022, there were only 25 HRG Stars awarded. Without a lot of innovation to drive traffic to the category, get creative with cross-merchandising or adding skin care items to endcaps or other displays to encourage sales. Look for wholesaler or manufacturer promotions that you can take advantage of to create sales opportunities.
31.6 million people (10.1%) in the U.S. have some form of eczema, and it is estimated that 1 in 10 individuals will develop eczema during their lifetime, with prevalence peaking in early childhood.2 Three top skin care brands have products that target eczema. Through analysis of unit sales using HRG proprietary PACTM data, 52 weeks ended May 31, 2023, they are: Aveeno®, Cetaphil®, and CeraVe®.1
Eczema products cross into other categories depending on how the condition is being treated. Within first aid, brands such as Sarna®, CeraVe, Aveeno, Cortizone-10®, Gold Bond®, Exederm® and others are used as targeted eczema treatments often when a patient has a flare up.1
With infants and young children also experiencing eczema, the top performing brands within baby care are: Aveeno, Eucerin®, and Cetaphil.1
With just over 10% of people in the U.S. experiencing eczema, using shelf talkers to draw attention to products that are targeted treatments within each department will let your customers know you have the products they need either now or in the future to treat this common skin condition affecting all age groups.
Sources
1. HRG’s proprietary PAC data, 52 weeks ending 1/31/2023
2. Full source information can be found at https://nationaleczema.org/research/eczema-facts/