Skincare and suncare value sales
Skincare and suncare value sales  
  Value (m) % change
  Facial Skincare   793.7 -1.8%
  Body Skincare   331.7 2.3%
  Sun Protection   166.6 12.3%
  Hand Preparations   71.1 4.4%
  Lip Preparations   52.3 -1.5%
  Aftersun   19.3 2.2%
     
Big four vs the bargain stores  
  % change  
Bargain stores 14.8%  
Asda  13.3%  
Wilko 4.9%  
 Tesco  3.5%  
 Sainsbury's  2.9%  
 Morrisons  -0.4%  
     
Source: Kantar Worldpanel, 52 w/e 30th December 2018    

All channels enjoyed growth in suncare this year, but bargain stores particularly made their mark, with growing share and strong value performance.

Aldi takes the top spot as the fastest-growing retailer in beauty and suncare with a 14% increase in value. Much of this was down to the significant expansion of its own-label Lacura skincare range. 

Given the comparatively poor performance of Boots and Superdrug, which both had flat values, it will be interesting to see if these stalwarts of beauty retailing can re-engage shoppers who are switching to the value channel.

In terms of sub-categories, sun protection was the fastest-growing this year. Volumes grew almost 20% due to the unusually hot summer. Interestingly, it also saw the steepest decline in price per pack - this was largely driven by the strong growth in own-label suncare, particularly Boots Soltan.

Facial skincare has slipped into decline as shopper gains slowed to flat and Nivea, Garnier, Olay and L’Oréal all saw their cleansing penetration fall. 

Kate Ithell, Kantar