Women in the UAE spend 38 per cent more on make-up than their counterparts in France, home to some of the world's biggest beauty brands.
It should therefore come as no surprise to hear that the industry is booming in the Emirates. And a recent study by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has revealed just how much it is worth. Between 2003 and last year annual imports of beauty products to the UAE rose from Dh1.4 billion (US$381.1 million) to Dh4.1bn, while exports jumped from Dh100m to Dh400m over the same period. The value of Dubai's cosmetics retail sector grew from Dh3bn in 2005 to Dh5.5bn last year.
The forecast is based on a report by Euromonitor International, which recently revealed that spending on cosmetics in the UAE is considerably higher than that in many European countries.
A number of factors fuelled the growth of the sector in the Emirates, including a phenomenon known as the "lipstick effect".
"This is the view that is commonly held among consumers that cosmetics and well-being products are often considered a daily necessity," said Dr Belaid Rettab, the senior director at the DCCI's Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development sector.
"These products exhibit stable sales and are hardly affected by the economic cycle."
The Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises also contributed to the growth of the sector, but duty free sales at Dubai International Airport played a major part, Dr Rettab said.
"The airport is a strategic transit hub in the region and has incredibly strong sales in luxury goods, especially cosmetics and perfumes, and this trend is expected to continue."
Tourism generally contributed to the expansion of the sector as visitors tend to spend their holiday money in luxury spas and on beauty treatments and products, Dr Rettab said.
Dubai's young population and sizeable middle class accounted for the final factor in the growth of the cosmetics sector.
"Young people tend to spend more on luxury products and this is increasingly true for regions where people have higher disposable incomes," Dr Rettab said.
business@thenational.ae
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Manchester United v Everton
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Sunday, kick-off 7pm (UAE)
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Brad Stanton bt Mohamed El Boukhari
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
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You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
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In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women & the Food That Tells Their Stories
Laura Shapiro
Fourth Estate
MATCH INFO
FA Cup fifth round
Chelsea v Manchester United, Monday, 11.30pm (UAE), BeIN Sports
The Little Things
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Four stars
Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
Opening weekend Premier League fixtures
Weekend of August 10-13
Arsenal v Manchester City
Bournemouth v Cardiff City
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Huddersfield Town v Chelsea
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester United v Leicester City
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Burnley
Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton
