This report profiles the Spanish soaps, bath & shower products and deodorant markets. An economic boom in the latter half of the 1990s and a steady rise in disposable family income in Spain has driven demand for personal hygiene products towards more value-added, sophisticated products. Though still

primarily a mass market segment and less dynamic than other segments of the Spanish C&T industry, manufacturers' total sales of personal hygiene products (including oral hygiene, shaving products and depilatories) rose 23% between 1997 and 2000, according to the Spanish Association of Perfumery

and Cosmetics, Stanpa.

This report profiles the Spanish soaps, bath & shower products and deodorant markets. An economic boom in the latter half of the 1990s and a steady rise in disposable family income in Spain has driven demand for personal hygiene products towards more value-added, sophisticated products. Though still

primarily a mass market segment and less dynamic than other segments of the Spanish C&T industry, manufacturers' total sales of personal hygiene products (including oral hygiene, shaving products and depilatories) rose 23% between 1997 and 2000, according to the Spanish Association of Perfumery

and Cosmetics, Stanpa.

The highly fragmented Spanish bath & shower and deodorant markets are dominated by various multinational companies that tend to specialise in particular market segments, whether it be liquid or bar soap, spray or roll on deodorants. An important Spanish contender is the Catalan Antonio Puig Corporation, which has become a multinational in its own right through control of international trademarks in the cosmetics and toiletries industry, an aggressive acquisition strategy in the domestic market and its presence in mass market, prestige and pharmaceutical channels. Though still relatively small when compared to such C&T giants as Unilever or Sara Lee's Cruz Verde-Legrain division, Antonio Puig Corporation is a formidable competitor, not only in the Spanish bath and shower market, but also in fragrances and cosmetics as well.

Once considered very traditional, the Spanish personal hygiene market has seen the introduction of innovative products in recent years which are increasingly characterised by multi-functional properties and which are verging on being not only cosmetic treatments, but even what could be described as 'lifestyle enhancers'. Today, a liquid soap or gel not only cleans, but also nourishes and moisturises the skin, for example. An added benefit for some is their often aromatherapeutical ingredients, designed to soothe the soul as well.

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

- Cosmetics and Fragrances, Consumer Goods Europe, March 2001

and the forthcoming:

- Cosmetics and Skincare, Consumer Goods Intelligence, May 2002

- Fragrances, Consumer Goods Intelligence, June 2002.

Mintel's European Consumer Goods Intelligence service provides product market information for five European countries: France, Italy, Germany, UK and Spain. Each month the service covers a different market sector, with 20 covered in each 24-month cycle.

Consumer Goods Intelligence focuses on the European food, drink and non-food sectors. This series provides detailed consumer data, including purchasing patterns and attitudinal research. Consumer Goods Intelligence complements the comprehensive gnpd (global new products database), also available from Mintel.