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Boston, MA -- (SBWire) -- 08/28/2014 --Weight management registered fractionally negative current retail value growth in 2013. According to the National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan in 2012, obesity rates based on body mass index were 29% for male and 19% for female. The obesity rates of both men and women declined compared to the previous year. With declining obesity rates, the retail value sales of meal replacement slimming, slimming teas and other slimming products declined in 2013. Nevertheless, weight loss supplements enjoyed positive growth in 2013 driven by the increasing popularity of digestive enzyme supplements. In addition to meals, consumers simply need to take such digestive enzyme supplements that are supposed to increase their metabolism. Although the effect of these supplements is not guaranteed, these products are increasingly accepted among consumers because this weight management method does not require calorie restriction.

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Competitive Landscape:

DHC Corp led weight management in 2013 with a value share of 15%. Even though weight management declined in 2013, the company's successful promotional campaigns contributed to the expansion of its value share. The company continued to promote its weight management products such as Protein Diet with popular Japanese comedians. Through the campaign, the comedians lost weight using the DHC's products, which communicated the effectiveness of DHC's weight management products and attracted consumers who want to lose weight. As another campaign, DHC annually holds the DHC Diet Award where the company gives awards to consumers who lost weight using DHC's weight management products. Such campaigns motivated consumers to try DHC's weight management products and go on a diet.

Industry Prospects:

Weight management is expected to register a flat retail value CAGR at constant 2013 prices over the forecast period. Given its simplicity, the low-carbohydrate diet is likely to remain popular among consumers, which is expected to negatively affect meal replacement slimming. Meanwhile, weight loss supplements is expected to grow over the forecast period as demand for casual dieting using weight loss supplements is likely to increase. Since these supplements do not require any additional effort except for taking the product, such products have the potential to interest more consumers in dieting. In order to attract such consumers, however, the unit price of weight loss supplements needs to be affordable so that they can casually try them. Another key is to increase consumers' access to weight loss supplements. Therefore, manufacturers are expected to launch weight loss supplements at affordable prices while expanding their distribution channels, including CVS, to increase their brand presence.

Retail value sales of dermatologicals in Japan increased by 1% in current terms in 2013. Hair loss treatments remained the largest category in terms of retail value sales. The category's steady growth turned negative in 2012 due to the negative growth of RiUP by Taisho Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, the largest brand in hair loss treatments compared to the significant sales increase of the brand in 2011. The remarkable performance was because of research findings by the Japanese Dermatological Association that certified the effectiveness of the key active ingredient in RiUP. Therefore, compared to 2012, sales of hair loss treatments recovered in 2013. While men's hair loss treatments accounted for the majority of the total sales, women's hair loss treatments expanded its value share in 2013 with several new products launches. In addition to women in middle-age and above, an increasing number of young women in their 30s are using hair loss treatment products for prevention purposes.

Competitive Landscape:

Taisho Pharmaceutical Co Ltd remained the top player in dermatologicals. Its brand RiUP continued to dominate hair loss treatments, with a retail value share of 48% in 2013. The company launched an aerosol version of RiUP in December 2012 to meet the needs of young consumers in their 20s and 30s. Kao Corp's Success ranked second. Compared to RiUP, Success is popular among younger consumers because of its affordable pricing. Other players actively promoted women's hair loss treatments in 2013. Bathclin Corp launched three scalp care sprays for women from its hair loss treatments brand Mouga in February 2013. Lion Corp launched its first women's hair loss treatments product, Fleuria, in June 2013, which is only available online. RiUP also offers a hair loss treatments product for women, RiUP Regenne, although its retail value sales remained low in 2013.

Industry Prospects:

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