Health & Beauty – California’s Untapped Export & Job Creator
Center for International Trade Development Selects 22 California Based Health & Beauty Brands to Promote Trade at World’s Biggest International Beauty Events
Long Beach, CA – While technology, agriculture and wine are often thought of as California’s most vibrant and vital industries, California is also home to another industry that is growing, creating jobs and a global exporter – health and beauty. From hair care and skin care products to cosmetics, nail polish and more, California is home to approximately 500 health and beauty companies responsible for roughly 15,000 jobs and close to nearly $2 Billion in exports based on industry estimates.
Helping to further promote small and medium sized California based health and beauty companies in order to increase exports and create jobs is the Center for International Trade Development (CITD) – Long Beach. As part of several California centers tasked with promoting the state’s international trade and competitiveness, assisting exporters and importers and advancing economic and job growth, CITD – Long Beach has selected 22 California based brands to promote trade and grow their companies in two of the world’s biggest and most influential international beauty trade events.
Building on an initial success of the trade development mission in March 2012 to Cosmoprof Bologna, the world’s largest total beauty event with over 200,000 plus attendees; 11 companies have since generated more than $13 million in export sales, entered 27 distinct markets and created 54 jobs. The mission also led to the infusion of $4.2 million in capital for the participating businesses. For 2013, CITD – Long Beach will expand its California: A State of Beauty pavilion concept at Cosmoprof Bologna (March 8 – 11, 2013) and the Beauty World Show Dubai (May 28 – 30, 2013). Funding for the trade missions is made possible by the State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of President Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI).
“The health and beauty industry is a big part of California’s economy. Through the STEP program we are able to provide California based health and beauty companies with a powerful opportunity to grow their business internationally, which ultimately benefits our state and the broader economy,” said Cesar Arellanes, CITD – Long Beach Program Director.
The Benefit of Participating in the California: A State of Beauty Pavilion
Small and medium sized businesses would typically not be able to attend a major foreign trade event due to the costs associated with entry, creation of a booth designed to draw attention, travel and logistical support. By creating the California: A State of Beauty Pavilion, CITD – Long Beach selects companies that have the ability to succeed and assists them with the costs of exhibition at the shows. The Pavilion concept is centered on the California lifestyle, but also provides dedicated and customized booth space that has been designed to attract retailers and distributors. Furthermore, CITD – Long Beach has also partnered with other organizations to provide support on export policies and procedures, so that participates can fulfill their contracts.
“A once in a lifetime opportunity. We received financial, media and organizational assistance. The ability to collaborate and represent California made goods was immeasurable,” said Lincoln Lee, Director of Dermaesthetics Beverly Hills, Inc.® a 2012 & 2013 Participant Company.
The Opportunity
There is tremendous opportunity in Europe particularly for U.S. cosmetic companies. Most of the companies/clients that come to CITD – Long Beach have received inquiries from the European market (i.e. Italy, Netherlands, UK etc.) leading them to become accidental exporters. Consequently, these exporters turn to the CITD to help expand opportunities abroad and facilitate export markets. Euromonitor International’s research shows that the European share for the Cosmetic and Toiletries (C & T) Industry accounts for nearly half of the market when comparing the world’s top economies—more than the U.S. and Japan combined. In 2006, the EU27 market was valued at 63 billion Euros. Within the EU the value breakdown is as follows: Germany with €11.7 billion, France with €10.4 billion, the U.K. with €10 billion, Italy with €8.8 billion, and Spain with €7.4 billion Euros.
In addition to Europe, CITD – Long Beach believes significant growth opportunities exist in the Middle East, so much so, that from the 27 distinct countries entered by the 11 participants from 2012, the majority were Middle Eastern markets, which led to a natural choice of Beautyworld Dubai as the second trade show.
Participating California Based Brands
Having seen the success of the California pavilion and the benefits it offers, health and beauty brands across California have been jumping at the opportunity to participate. While a few more brands for each show can be accepted, confirmed brands include:
CellCeuticals Skin Care, Daily Concepts, Dermaesthetics Beverly Hills, Inc., Diamond Wipes, Ineke Perfumes & Colognes, Ioni Cosmetics, Johnny B Haircare, Jon Davler, Laguna Candles, La Fresh, LA Splash, Me! Bath, Millionaire, Mirabella, NYX Cosmetics, Roots Organics, Salon USA, Senegence International, Whet Nails, Yosh Fragrances, and Zerran Hair Care.
For more information on the California: State of Beauty Pavilion, please visit www.californiastateofbeauty.com.
About the CITD: The Center for International Trade Development (CITD) hosted by Long Beach City College helps companies enter new markets, grow and enhance their international sales through specialized consulting in international trade. The CITD offers seminars designed to give small business owners the tools to take their firms global; consulting services with legal, distribution, logistics and customs experts; market research; and trade missions. Services are offered in conjunction with the Los Angeles Regional SBDC Network and the Long Beach International Trade Office, which together provide a comprehensive portfolio of import and export services to Southern California’s small businesses, at no cost.
No federal grant funds are being used for any entertainment costs associated with this trade promotion or export marketing activity.
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