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Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Nina Koefler Nina Koefler Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: May 2024 WZ G46.45DE

Revenue

€18.0bn

2024

€18.0bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€X.Xbn

Employees

30,259

Businesses

1,758

Wages

€X.Xbn

Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling in Germany industry analysis

The wholesale of cosmetics and personal care products has developed positively over the past five years, with industry turnover growing at an average rate of 3.5% per year between 2019 and 2024. The growth in sales is due in part to the coronavirus pandemic, which increased demand for hygiene products such as soaps and products for skin, hair and oral care in particular. The positive development is also based on the business development of the generally vertically integrated key players. These are active worldwide, particularly at the manufacturing level, and can therefore also draw on an extensive global network of trading partners and an excellent production and distribution infrastructure for their own wholesale activities. In addition, thanks to extensive marketing and communication measures, their generally broad product range includes numerous well-known brands, enabling the main players to benefit from consumers' growing brand and quality awareness over the past five years.

Trends and Insights

  • New consumer trends have led to a fragmentation of the cosmetics and personal care wholesale market. While large companies such as Beiersdorf and L'Oréal continue to dominate the market, more and more small and medium-sized wholesalers are serving niche markets.
  • Hair care products are the strongest-selling product group in this sector. However, sales in this product segment have declined slightly over the last five years.
  • The high number of large retail companies in the centre region is a result of the high population density, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia. This ensures a strong sales base and therefore offers attractive conditions for business start-ups.
  • Due to the high level of fragmentation within the industry, competition is fierce. Intra-industry competition between wholesalers is primarily based on the product range, sales prices, company size and marketing and sales activities.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €18.0bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Trends in cosmetics wholesale lead to small companies specialising in niche markets

  • New consumer trends and the increasing individualisation of customer needs have led to a fragmentation of the wholesale of cosmetics and personal care products. While large companies such as Beiersdorf and L'Oréal continue to dominate the market, more and more small and medium-sized wholesalers are serving niche markets.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Wholesalers are likely to make greater use of big data analyses to better understand their customers' wishes

  • With online retail still booming, industry players are likely to invest more in digitalisation strategies over the next five years in order to remain competitive and reduce the degree to which they are bypassed by manufacturers and retailers.

Biggest companies in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
L’Oréal S. A.
2,182.0
Beiersdorf AG
1,016.5
CP GABA GmbH
349.8

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo 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 producers 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?

Hair care productsSkin and facial care productsPerfumes and fragrancesDecorative cosmeticsDental and oral care productsBath and shower additivesDeodorants

Companies

L’Oréal S. A.Beiersdorf AGCP GABA GmbH

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

ANTI-AGEING PRODUCTANTI-BLEMISH PRODUCTDERMOCOSMETICSINTERNET PURE PLAYERSOCIAL AUDITVERTICALISATION

Industry Code

WZ 2008

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

New consumer trends have led to a fragmentation of the cosmetics and personal care wholesale market. While large companies such as Beiersdorf and L'Oréal continue to dominate...

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 (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • 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 strongest-selling product group in this sector. However, sales in this product segment have declined slightly over the last five years.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

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 large retail companies in the centre region is a result of the high population density, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia. This ensures a strong sales...

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 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

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 fierce. Intra-industry competition between wholesalers is primarily based on the product range, sal...

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 2019-2024
  • 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 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of L’Oréal S. A.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Beiersdorf AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of CP GABA GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

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
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The cosmetics wholesale trade benefits from the support of industry associations. Industry-specific associations include, for example, the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumer...

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 (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

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 wholesalers. This is due to the fact that the largest industry players are multinational, vertically ...

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 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

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 (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

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 2024?

The market size of the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany is €18.0bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 1,758 businesses in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

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 3.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

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 market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling market in Germany are L’Oréal S. A., Beiersdorf AG and CP GABA GmbH

What does the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling in Germany include?

Hair care products and Skin and facial care products are part of the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling in Germany?

The company holding the most market share 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.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Dispensing Chemists in Germany
  • E-Commerce & Online Auctions in Germany

Complementors

  • There are no industries to display.

International industries

  • Drug, Cosmetic & Toiletry Wholesaling in the US
  • Cosmetics and Toiletry Wholesaling in Australia
  • Perfume & Cosmetics Wholesaling in the UK

View all industries 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.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.