NPD Reports Men’s Fragrance Sells Best for Valentine’s Day

2008-02-07 | 07:38

NPD Reports Men’s Fragrance Sells Best for Valentine’s Day

It’s no surprise that fragrance is a popular Valentine’s Day gift, but it’s who’s giving and who’s getting that might surprise you. According to The NPD Group, in February 2007, men’s prestige fragrance sales* captured more of the dollar share for total fragrances than in previous years. Men’s fragrances for that month grew to represent 37 percent of total fragrance sales, up from 35 percent in February 2005.

In general, we know from NPD’s FragranceTrack study, more women buy fragrance for men than vice versa. In fact, 43 percent of men who wear fragrance say they got it as a gift from a woman. But they don’t return the favor in kind. Almost a quarter of women who wear fragrance said they received it from a man. Below are the top five prestige fragrances men and women reported buying for the opposite gender.

Top Five Men’s Fragrance Brands Bought by Women
1. Obsession
2. Acqua Di Gio
3. Polo
4. Drakar Noir
5. Curve for Men
Source: The NPD Group/FragranceTrack 2007

Top Five Women’s Fragrance Brands Bought by Men
1. Chanel No. 5
2. Happy
3. Eternity
4. White Diamonds
5. Beautiful
Source: The NPD Group/FragranceTrack 2007

*Prestige Fragrances sold mainly in U.S. Dept. Stores