Dishwashing liquids and hair dyes increased the most

According to Nielsen, household chemical and cosmetics retail sales grew by 3 percent, approaching an annual HUF 300 billion in July 2008-July 2009, compared to the same period a year earlier. Dishwashing liquid sales surged by 12 percent, while hair dyes augmented by 7 percent. Growing automatic dishwasher detergent sales was one of the driving forces behind market expansion, since these products are more expensive than traditional dishwashing liquids. In the case of hair dyes, successful new products appeared in the shops at a 10-percent higher price then the average in the category. Among the 10 product categories which generate the biggest sales, detergent, diaper, shower gel, dishwashing liquid, facial tissue and toothpaste expanded in both value and volume. Changing consumer habits are indicated by the fact that more and more people buy private label products. In the first six months of this year, measured in Forint, private labels’ share in household chemical sales grew from last year’s 14 to17 percent. Among household paper products, private labels had a 44 percent share, while baby care was at 34 percent, in terms of value. In value, discounts’ share of private label household chemical and cosmetics sales was up from 45 percent to 54 percent. In volume, private labels realised 91 percent of sales in the category. Sales in promotion represented 37 percent in the eight category surveyed by Nielsen. As of store types, household chemical and cosmetics sales concentrated further: 83 percent of total sales were realised in stores and drugstores with a floor-space above 400 m².