Current developments affecting service pricing, staffing, product economics, retail mix and cosmetic regulation. Updated as the evidence changes.
September confidence fell sharply while major retailers moved more aggressively on price. The evidence points to a more value-conscious consumer, not yet to an across-the-board spending contraction.
PersistentPricingPersonal-care service prices were up 4.2% year over year in August versus 2.9% for personal-care products.
DevelopingLaborBroad personal and laundry services employment increased by about 9,500 jobs in August to 1.623 million.
DevelopingRegulationFDA reports 16,398 active cosmetic-facility registrations and nearly 1.3 million active product listings as of June 30.
DivergingOperationsService prices are rising faster than personal-care product prices, making one blended margin view less useful.