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The power of one
As the company completes its 50th year in business and the country awaits a period of change in health care unlike anything seen in at least that time, CVS Caremark executives are quite confident that its unique hybrid structure and its ability to leverage the three core parts of its business — either individually or together, in varying combinations to serve a multitude of needs — aligns more effectively with the long-term trends in health care and puts the company in a unique position at a singular moment in history.
Overall, sales of intimacy health products are down slightly. Sales of condoms are down 2.1% to $382.6 million, according to IRI for the 52 weeks ended Oct. 6 across total U.S. multi-outlets. Personal lubricant sales were similarly down — falling 5.3% to $207.5 million. Only sales of personal massagers were up 5.6%, but on a relatively tiny base of $25.7 million.
The highly saturated and competitive hair care category has experienced only modest increases in recent years, but industry observers predict the category will grow double-digits through 2017, thanks in large part to niche items and products that target emerging segments.
Consumers never tire of candy. Euromonitor data indicates that U.S. dollar sales for chocolate increased 19% between 2007 and 2012, and non-chocolate sales were up 17%. Euromonitor and the National Confectioners Association expect solid growth in the next five years, with the category “adding more than $6 billion in sales between 2013 and 2018.”
Despite the buzz about BB and CC creams, eye makeup continues to be a rock star within the beauty space. More specifically, mascara remains a staple for most beauty mavens, and bold brows are making headlines as thin, over-plucked brows fall by the wayside.