UK spending on health and beauty products jumped last month, trouncing growth seen across the wider retail sector, according to Barclays PLC (LSE:BARC).
Some 7.3% more was spent on such beauty products during the month compared to a year earlier, the bank revealed, reflecting the fastest growth since January 2023.
Spending across the wider retail sector ticked up by 0.1% in the meantime, as non-essential purchases grew by 0.7%.
Barclays said a quarter of shoppers cut back on spending on clothing to prioritise beauty spending, with many dubbing such goods as “essential” like groceries.
A third reported buying more affordable so-called “dupe” beauty products, such as cheaper fragrances and make-ups.
This follows growing influence of social media as consumers increasingly took to the likes of TikTok videos in search of recommendations, Barclays retail head Karen Johnson noted.
“Our data shows that social media has proven to play a key role in influencing online purchases, a further demonstration of the rising commercial importance of these platforms,” Johnson said.
“The health and beauty sector exemplifies continuous growth, likely driven by social media, particularly among younger generations.”