This report examines the market for hair and beauty products in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, commenting on the market size and dynamics, key consumer trends and factors affecting the market's development. It looks particularly at the role of fashion in the purchase process of hair and beauty products and their frequency of use. There are also descriptions of key suppliers and brands within the all-Ireland market. With more women entering the workforce, the report considers how this has influenced consumer image and choice of purchase.

Based on available information, the report breaks the market down into the following market segments:

· Haircare

· Skincare

· Cosmetics

· Other.

Information is provided on expenditure within these segments, followed by an assessment of usage patterns by demographic and socio-economic groups, giving an insight into the profiles of consumers likely to purchase or use various hair and beauty products.

Other Mintel reports relevant to the Irish leisure sector are:

- Leisure and Health Clubs - Ireland, April 2003

- Health and Beauty Retailing - Ireland, March 2003

and the forthcoming:

- Visitor Attractions - Ireland, November 2003.

Definitions

The hair and beauty market is a huge market with a vast number of brands and product types, and consequently impossible to cover in any great detail in one single report. Therefore, for the purposes of this report, Mintel has divided the market into three broad segments, with an 'Other' category encompassing the remaining products:

Haircare: this includes shampoo and conditioner, hairstyling products and hair colours

Skincare: this includes hand, face and body lotions

Cosmetics: all types of make-up

Other: the remaining category includes bath and shower products, shaving products, deodorants and oral hygiene products.

This report does not include areas such as feminine hygiene/sanitary products, sun lotions and fragrances.

Geographical, national and regional definitions

It is essential to clearly define the references made to various geographical terms throughout this report.

Ireland: Refers to the whole island of Ireland, which includes the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Republic of Ireland: Refers to the 26 counties south of the border, being an independent state run by a democratically elected government, with Dublin as capital. Throughout this report it is abbreviated to RoI.

Northern Ireland: Refers to the six counties located in the North East part of the island, with Belfast as its capital city. Northern Ireland has a suspended democratically elected assembly, but remains part of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland is abbreviated to NI in this report.

United Kingdom: This consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and is abbreviated to UK.

Great Britain: Refers to England, Wales and Scotland, and is abbreviated to GB.

Conversion factors

The basic data used for conversions between currencies, to per capita consumption and as a basis for indices, are listed for reference:

Population 2002-03	000
Total Ireland	5,617
Republic of Ireland	3,917
Northern Ireland	1,700
United Kingdom	59,165

Exchange rates	€ (Euro) per £GBP
2003	0.68850 (An average rate of 0.65 has been used for the six-year period)

BMRB Target Group Index sample sizes

	RoI	NI
1995	2,900	1,590
1996	2,984	1,655
1998	2,813	1,963
1999	2,824	1,963
2000	2,700	2,118
2001	2,891	1,994
2002	2,941	2,057

Abbreviations

BMRB	British Market Research Bureau
CSO	Central Statistics Office (RoI)
DETI	Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
GDP	Gross Domestic Product
IAPI	Institute of Advertising Practitioners of Ireland
NI	Northern Ireland
Nielsen Media Research	For more information contact Mary Sneddon at Nielsen Media Research on 01344 469100.
PLC	Public Limited Company
RoI	Republic of Ireland
SPSS	Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
SSIA	Special Savings Incentive Accounts
TGI	Target Group Index. For further details concerning this information, including data on readership patterns of users/purchasers and details of brands, please contact Phil Greenslade at BMRB International on 020 8566 5000 or via email at phil.greenslade@bmrb.co.uk
UK	United Kingdom
UVA/UVB	Ultraviolet rays

10/2003