Domestic cosmetic sales to exceed 8 tln won next year

SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's cosmetics industry is forecast to see
its domestic sales rise 11 percent from a year ago to 8 trillion won (US$6.74
billion) next year on the back of increased consumer spending and an optimistic
economic outlook, the country's leading cosmetics maker said Tuesday.

Market leader Amorepacific Corp. expects the gain in sales to be in line with the
market's recent growth of around 10 percent per year. Sales this year increased
12.5 percent from a year ago, or more than three times the average growth rate of
other consumer goods.
During 2009, department store sales led the cosmetics market's overall growth,
jumping 21.8 percent, while sales at supermarkets also increased 15.9 percent.
Amorepacific said consumers this year were more inclined to choose quality over
price, despite the recession, looking to buy small luxury items within their
price range.
ecuedy@yna.co.kr
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