Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €15.6bn in 2026.
Trends and Insights
Wholesalers suffer inventory losses due to the tightening of the EU Cosmetics Regulation
- In May 2025, the European Commission adopted a stricter Cosmetics Regulation, which came into force on 1 September 2025 and banned 21 other carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances. The complete ban on trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), a photoinitiator that was previously authorised for commercial use in UV-curing nail gels and nail modelling up to a maximum concentration of 5%, is particularly relevant.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Cooperation is essential for deposit systems in cosmetics packaging
- The introduction of deposit systems for the cosmetics industry is becoming increasingly important and is based on successful models from the beverage industry. The start-up Reo launched a one-year pilot project in the Munich region in October 2024. As part of this project, consumers collect empty care packaging from deposit machines at ten Kaufland shops and three VollCorner organic markets and receive a refund of 29 cents per package. The collected packaging is thoroughly cleaned, refilled and then put back on sale.
Biggest companies in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (€m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
L’Oréal S. A. | 2,488.0 | |
Beiersdorf AG | 1,153.9 | |
CP GABA GmbH | 405.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Hair care products, Skin and facial care products and Perfumes and fragrances. Hair care products is the largest segment of the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Hair care products are mainly bought in drugstores, supermarkets and discounters
- Hair care products include all products that are used to cleanse, care for and style the hair. The top-selling products in this category include shampoos, followed by hair sprays, mousses and similar hair setting products. Professional hair care products, which are primarily sold to hairdressing salons, also account for a significant proportion of sales in this product group.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This sector comprises the wholesale of cosmetic products and personal care products. These product categories include, for example, make-up products, oral and hair care products, perfumes, deodorants and hygiene products such as condoms and sanitary towels. Many major manufacturers of well-known cosmetics brands are also active in this sector, distributing their products to various retailers via distribution networks.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany include Hair care products, Skin and facial care products, Perfumes and fragrances, Decorative cosmetics, Dental and oral care products, Bath and shower additives and Deodorants.Companies
Companies covered in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany include L’Oréal S. A., Beiersdorf AG and CP GABA GmbH.Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany include anti-ageing product, anti-blemish product, dermocosmetics, internet pure player, social audit and verticalisation.Industry Code
WZ 46.45 - Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Specialised wholesalers are increasingly focusing on exclusive distribution rights for premium and niche brands as well as comprehensive additional services such as training a...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Hair care products are the top-selling product group in this sector. Social media trends relating to wellness for the scalp have put the focus increasingly on preventive care...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The high number of wholesale companies in the Central region is a result of the high population density, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia. This ensures a strong sales b...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2026
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Due to the high level of fragmentation within the industry, competition is intense. Competition within the industry between wholesalers is primarily based on product range, s...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2021-2026
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
L'Oréal strives for a sustainable procurement policy. The company's own procurement programme "Buy & Care" aims to strengthen social responsibility through regular social aud...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of L’Oréal S. A.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Beiersdorf AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of CP GABA GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for L’Oréal S. A., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Beiersdorf AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for CP GABA GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Cosmetics wholesalers benefit from the support of industry associations. Industry-specific associations include, for example, the Industrial Association of Personal Care and ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The industry's profit margin is higher than the average profit margin of the wholesale sector. This is due to the fact that the largest industry players are multinational, ve...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany in 2026?
The market size of the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany is €15.6bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany in 2026?
There are 1,365 businesses in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany?
The Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany?
The Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 1.8 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany are L’Oréal S. A., Beiersdorf AG and CP GABA GmbH
What does the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany include?
Hair care products and Skin and facial care products are part of the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany is L’Oréal S. A..
How competitive is the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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