Low price, own brand items boost Marionnaud’s Christmas sales

French fragrance and beauty retailer Marionnaud has reported a sales increase over the Christmas period compared to last year’s figures, highlighting the success of its own brand makeup items.

Fragrances traditionally take the limelight during the festive period; but, this year Marionnaud has highlighted the success of its own brand color cosmetic range as well as skin care products.

Overall sales for the period November 22 to December 25, were up 2 per cent in value compared to last year, with the number of products in an average basket up 6 per cent.

Color cosmetics showed the biggest growth from last year, with sales up 6 per cent and the retailer highlighted a makeup palette from its own brand ‘Only You’ as the best seller of the season, appealing to those searching for gifts at lower price points.

“Purchases were not just focused on perfumes, enlarging the choice of possibilities. Our offer of complementary gifts was a great success,” said director of trade and marketing for Marionnaud France, Sacha Tikhomiroff.

Fragrance gift sets still a Christmas favourite

Fragrances gift sets also did well during the period with male scents dominating the top five.

The top selling gift set was Paco Rabanne’s One Million, which was followed by the woman’s fragrance Flower by Kenzo, Eau Sauvage from Dior was in third place followed by Boss Bottle from Hugo Boss, with another woman’s fragrance Ricci Ricci from Nina Ricci in fifth place.

Paco Rabanne’s One Million was also among the top five selling fragrances for the period.

The company also said sales were spread over a longer time period this year, with purchases being made throughout the whole period and not just concentrated in the last two weeks before Christmas.