Content area
Full text
Women covet their beauty brands. Of the 10 products listed here, four are in personal care. Female shoppers have a penchant for buying brand-name cosmetics, which translates to all beauty products, too, said Britt Beemer, chairman and founder of America's Research Group. The survey of 1,264 women who are primary household decision-makers also revealed that brand names matter even when it comes to daily sundries such as coffee or laundry product purchases. But why isn't apparel higher on the list? "Women are frustrated with apparel design today," said Beemer. "Ten years ago, 48.6 percent of women told us that they shop when they're down in the dumps. Today, it's 23 percent." So much for retail therapy.
1) Bath Soap
Percentage of women who said they're "very loyal" to a brand: 37.8
Traditionally, women are drawn to old soap favorites such as Dove and Ivory. But a growing market for handmade or scented soaps also is taking hold. Oprah Winfrey's personal favorite: Davies Gate cinnamon stick soap, which uses organic ingredients. Scented soaps are also popular, such as those fragranced with lemon or lavender. Take the English beauty goods purveyor Caswell-Massey, which infuses its soaps with scents ranging from pink grapefruit to lilac to cucumber.
2) Health and beauty aids
Percentage: 35.2
Mint tea shower gel or pomegranate body...