Makeup is a national obsession. In fact, the UK is one of Western Europe's most prolific consumers of cosmetic products. And it's not just women; there's a growing trend for male cosmetic products, including man-orientated concealers, moisturisers, and a vast array of beard-and-shave grooming products.
The UK cosmetics industry is worth a whopping £28.4 billion each year. That equates to 1.3% of our total GDP - equivalent to the economic activity of major cities such as Manchester or Glasgow.
Brand is all-important for makeup - over half of consumers in an American IPSOS survey claimed that they remain loyal to the beauty care brands they rely on. So, while the industry is fertile ground for established brands, it can be rocky territory for independent companies without the heft of massive marketing budgets.
This makes the prospect of makeup franchises all the more tantalising. Turn your passion for cosmetics into a career; but tread carefully because it’s a difficult market to penetrate.
Investing in a makeup franchise provides a range of exclusive benefits that will help you prosper in a saturated marketplace.
Franchising
In an industry sector where brand is king (or queen - let's just go for "monarch"), it can be a lonely place for a new start-up. When brand recognition is so vital, a company requires a considerable marketing budget to cut through the noise from the competition. If you don't have substantial funds for marketing, you can find your new business at the bottom of a very large pile.
Makeup franchises offer access to an instantly recognisable brand. Make an immediate impact with your customers by providing them with products they already know and love. The UK public are big spenders when it comes to personal care - in 2019, they spent £33 billion - over £10 billion more than they were paying in 2010.
Another benefit of the franchise model comes in the shape of training and support. Your parent company will provide world-class training opportunities to help you become a recognised expert. Additionally, most parent companies offer administrative and HR functionality, ensuring that all the complicated compliance regulations are in place.
When you invest in a makeup franchise, you also benefit from the parent company's marketing campaigns - employing the talents of exclusive marketing agencies. What better way to attract new customers? There aren't that many franchise opportunities that offer such high visibility.
Facts About Makeup Franchises
One of the principal trends over the latter half of the decade was the move towards natural cosmetics. Colour products have waned in favour of skincare-orientated cosmetics that complement the skin rather than shield it behind layers of colour.
Skincare-based cosmetics is a huge market; feeding the hunger for cruelty-free, natural-looking makeup that supports the planet rather than attacks it. The fragrance market has seen similar trends.
When we think of makeup in the UK, we generally assume that the market is principally female, but that's no longer the case. Male grooming is a vast, booming sector that continues to grow. Back in 2017, the male skincare market was worth almost £120 million. Shaving products accounted for the majority of that spend, while facial cleansers have seen a significant increase in popularity.
Hair removal has been a mainstay of female cosmetic routines for decades, but over the past five years, there's been a surprising increase in the use of hair removal products by men (between 16-24-year-olds). It seems that the trend for removing chest and back hair is set to remain, while beard oils and male grooming products continue to increase in popularity.
Franchising Vs Independent
Now to the nitty-gritty.
Banks and moneylenders tend to favour the franchise model because the parent company has proven its position in the marketplace. The financials stack up with franchises: they have demonstrable sustainability and a history of profit and growth, presenting a more certain return on investment.
Independent companies, on the other hand, often struggle to reach their market: almost half go bankrupt within the first three years.
A makeup franchise offers a newcomer to business the opportunity for their company to thrive, with a support package that helps you get off the ground and appealing to customers right from the start.
Makeup Franchises
Explore our fabulous selection of makeup franchises, and turn your passion into a career today.
Find your brand new start with Franchise Direct.