Wrap It Up

As 2006 winds to an end, we celebrate the first full year of the relaunched Beauty Packaging. We hope you enjoyed the magazine’s new look and format, and we look forward to bringing you even more in 2007. Starting in the spring, Beauty Packaging will be hosting the first of two webinars: interactive seminars dealing with counterfeiting and eco-packaging, respectively. Stay tuned or visit our website for more details on Beauty Packaging’s latest method of delivering innovation and information.
    But back to 2006. Did you know that, incredibly, approximately 40% percent of shoppers’ annual budgets are spent buying gifts for occasions throughout the year, according to a survey by Unity Marketing?  Luxury consumers will spend about twice as much as middle-income shoppers on gifts this holiday season, and affluent men, especially baby-boomers, will spend the most. Overall, holiday spending is expected to rise 9.1% over last year.
    What will they all be giving? While the top gift choices for luxury consumers are the same as for the typical gifter—entertainment and recreational gifts (DVDs, CDs, toys, sporting goods, books and electronic equipment) and gift cards—luxury consumers are more likely to choose gifts of clothing and fashion accessories, consumables (gourmet food, wine and spirits, gift baskets) and experiential gifts (dining, entertainment tickets and spa packages).       
    Department and specialty stores as well as Internet retailers will benefit most from luxury gift shopping as fewer consumers turn to discounters. In fact, Unity Marketing tells us, the 2006 sales year may mark the turning point in Wal-Mart’s stranglehold on retailing in America. Their competitive edge may be slipping as shoppers decide they want an engaging and entertaining shopping experience, and not just cheap prices.
    So happy shopping. May you have a peaceful New Year and many friends in the “luxury consumer” category.

Ava Caridad