In 2011 the sale of cosmetics grew by 9,6% to 10.082 billion won (7,2 billion euros) in South Korea, thanks to the increased demand from tourists and local consumers. This is the second largest year-on-year increase in cosmetics sales after the 11,3 percent increase recorded in 2009, according to data from Statistics Korea. Market observers attribute this trend to the greater number of tourists buying Korean products and the increased import of high-end foreign products.
The sale of cosmetics has continued to grow steadily from 7.220 billion in 2005 to today. According to the Korean Trade Association, exports (especially to China and Japan) also grew by an average of 28,4% annually between 2006 and 2010, thanks to the aggressive marketing campaign of local companies.
Among all, the leading Korean manufacturer, AmorePacific Group, last week reported net profits rising 14,3% in 2011 to 376 billion won (253 million euros).
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/02/14/cosmetics-sales-top-96b-korean-wave.html
