| By Rosli Abidin
Yahya
As many industries, and indeed
economies, face a possible slowdown amid uncertainty on talk of
a possible US-led war against Iraq, the beauty-related sector is
showing signs of blossoming.
Beauty products are getting a
boost from people seeking to recover from the stress, wrinkles
and aging caused by the global jitters.
Personal care goods, especially
those promoting anti-aging properties, are seeing strong demand
this year.
Sales of anti-aging products
here from leading cosmetics firms are increasing as
manufacturers attracted new customers and persuaded existing
customers to spend more.
Sales of anti-aging products
also posted a healthy gain as many people especially women are
wary of the middle age crisis.
A local company based in Kiulap,
Dilly's De Beauté had also come up with their own brand of
beauty, body and facial treatment products.
The products manufactured in
Malaysia are said to be gaining ground amidst tough competition
from their competitors, mainly manufacturers of international
brands.
Similarly for make-ups and
fragrance, sales are reported to have risen.
Anti-aging products are tipped
to maintain stellar sales this year, with several new brands,
both international and local, entering and expanding their lines
as more women look to iron out the fine lines of weather and
age.
Services at home by well-known
make-up artists, loyalty programmes, gift sets, free samples and
massages form part of some of the marketing ploys.
"There is huge market
potential for anti-aging products because the sale proportion is
still small, representing 35 per cent of the total cosmetic
market, compared to whitening (agents) which generated 65 per
cent,'' said an executive of a beauty-product firm. She said the
popularity of anti-ageing products peaked more than five years
ago, with whitening products filling demand since.
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