Alibaba.com, one of the world’s leading B2B ecommerce marketplaces, has revealed its top beauty buyer trends, with triple-digit growth in the number of enquiries of speciality beauty products for skin and hair (286%); resource-saving beauty products (190%); and vitamin-c infused products (107%); as well as a significant increase in the number of buyers purchasing anti-aging serums (291%), on its platform.
Today, the UK’s health and beauty market is worth £36.7bn and is expected to grow, with a forecast CAGR of 2%[1]. Thanks to a virtually unlimited catalogue of products from over 200,000 suppliers, investments in technology to improve buying efficiencies, and trade assurances and guarantees, Alibaba.com has become a highly popular destination for buyers in the beauty industry.
As buyers increasingly look to source unique and differentiated products, Alibaba.com has also seen a significant increase in the number of beauty listings on its platform. In the last year, more than 10,000 new ‘all-in-one’ beauty products – those that have been designed to simply a consumer’s beauty regime by combining moisturisers, sunscreens, and foundations into one step – have been listed Alibaba.com.
According to Mintel, in the UK more than half of consumers (53%) bought an eco-friendly beauty or grooming product in the last 12 months.[2] On Alibaba.com, sustainable beauty continues to be a leading trend, with a 42% year-on-year increase in the number of sustainability beauty products listed. This combined with triple-digit growth for resource-saving beauty products showcases a clear buyer and seller shift towards sustainability.
Finally, with rising costs impacting consumers’ disposable income around the globe combined with renewed demand for DIY categories, Alibaba.com has seen strong growth in the at-home beauty market. Searches for DIY eyelashes, for example, increased 225% in March alone.
Michela Rubegni, marketing director, EU, Alibaba.com, said: “The UK’s beauty industry is undergoing somewhat of an evolution. Consumers are increasingly demanding value-add products, particularly those focused on specific consumer needs, ingredients or uses, which is presenting a unique opportunity for beauty buyers—and brands—in the UK. Through our efficient and intuitive platform that hosts an unlimited catalogue of products, Alibaba.com is well placed to support beauty buyers capitalise on this opportunity in the months ahead.”
