JEDDAH: Growth in demand for premium fragrances in the Saudi Arabia continues unabated, with sales of high-end, the male fragrance category was valued at SR1,438.3 million ($383.5 million) with an expected CAGR of 4.9 percent between 2009 and 2014. Recent market research, estimates that the Saudi market for premium fragrances is worth SR4 billion per annum while sales of mass fragrances are expected to grow. This is a key indicator that the Saudi market has a marked preference for high-end perfumes and other luxury goods. "The fragrance market in the Gulf and in Saudi Arabia and the wider region remains an exciting one with tremendous potential for growth," said Ahmed Pauwels, chief executive officer of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organizer of Beautyworld Middle East, the foremost trade event in the region for beauty products, fragrances, haircare and wellness. "The average spend on premium perfume is relatively higher than in other parts of the world as fragrances and perfumes are an important part of the Gulf lifestyle and there is a higher disposable income." "Beautyworld Middle East, with its region-wide footprint, gives leading perfume houses and fragrance products a first-hand look at this burgeoning market. Retailers and wholesalers from the region also use the event to scout for new deals, sign up new suppliers and place purchase orders," Pauwels added. Oriental and Gulf fragrances also have a significant presence in the region, as the markets of the GCC have traditionally been big consumers of Oud, Ittar and other native fragrances. Regional perfume houses such as Ajmal and Swiss Arabian have been making their presence felt too, with a range of exotic and designer fragrances that have moved them into the mainstream market. Leading perfumers and fragrance manufacturers from the region participating in Beautyworld Middle East this year include: Nooranji Perfumes, Swiss Perfumes, Oud Al Anfar, Eurofragrance, Amalia Perfumes, and Swiss Arabian from UAE; Al Atarji and Al Khuraiji from Saudi Arabia; Zahreddine Trading and Al Awani from Lebanon and Al Masmoun Aquador and Al Masmoun Oyunico, from Syria. Beautyworld Middle East 2011 will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 24-26. The exhibition is the largest international trade fair for beauty products, hair, fragrances and wellbeing in the Middle East and has played a major role in the growth and development of the industry in the region over the last 15 years. Meanwhile, according to research firm Euromonitor with over 30,000 hair salons trading across the countries of the region, manufacturers and suppliers of hair care products and cosmetics are looking to make further inroads into what is a potentially huge marketplace. The hair care market in Saudi Arabia and the UAE combined is expected to be worth a staggering $524.2 million in 2012, and this figure is expected to reach $566 million by 2014, making the countries of the Gulf a key target for international hair care majors.
