The Middle East Cosmetic and Toiletries (C&T) market is one of the largest and most profitable in the world. Growing at a rate of 12 percent annually, beauty sales are expected to increase by more than SR11 billion by 2010 The organizers of Beautyworld Middle East, one of the world's foremost trade exhibitions for the industry, have announced that despite the current economic slowdown, the show is currently recording a growth of 17 percent in comparison to 2008 figures. This growth is led by the continued attractiveness of the regional market for the beauty and personal care industry, and also the fact that Dubai's central location serves as a gateway to the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Sub Continent, and the CIS states “We feel confident that the C & T industry will continue to experience growth in 2009. It is widely believed that people tend not to compromise with their image or grooming, and also require ‘feel good items' during these unstable times”, said Andrea Werner, senior show manager of Beautyworld Middle East Beautyworld Middle East is set on June 7-9 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre. Some 850 exhibitors from 50 countries will showcase the current trends in beauty products, cosmetics and perfumery from across the globe “From a trade perspective, during a time of economic uncertainty, export companies try to seek new lucrative markets like the Middle East in order to reduce their dependence on one or two larger developed markets, such as Europe and the US,” she said. This year, we have noticed an increase in the number of companies interested in exhibiting from the US, Italy and Argentina, indicating more international awareness of the C & T market potential here in the Middle East”, Werner further said. An additional pull factor that attracts C&T brands to this region is the substantial expansion in the development of shopping malls, with almost 30 percent of all retail space being occupied by beauty products retailers. The opening of Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina Mall validates the increasing demand and indicates that companies are looking to the region as a long-term investment. Highlights of this year's Beautyworld Middle East are the Walk of Beauty, a popular show for the latest hair and make-up trends; and the nail and make-up competition. Beautyworld Middle East, which runs alongside Wellness and Spas Middle East, represents over 1,500 brands, with an expected visitor attendance of 18,000 from over 100 countries.
