Manufacturers of soap bars are losing sales to the makers of fancier toiletry products, according to fresh research from Mintel. Despite nine out of 10 British families using bar soap, the usage of liquid soap is booming. It is currently used by just over half of our families. Soap bars have become a niche product not widely found on store shelves. However, there is demand for premium priced toilet soaps and olive-oil based soaps sold in specialist upmarket shops. Mintel's senior European retail analyst Peter Ayton said: "Manufacturers of soaps are fighting to maintain sales with added-value products incorporating moisturisers and essential oils." {{NEWS }}