Now even designer fragrances, traditionally top sellers in department stores, are struggling. Coty Inc., the world’s third-largest cosmetics maker and owner of the Burberry Beauty license, reported a sales decrease of 3 percent in its luxury division in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, driven by declines in the Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein scents, although organic sales increased by 5 percent in the fourth quarter.

— Read more at Designer Fragrances Take Cues from the Growing 'Niche' Market at Business of Fashion.

It is evident from Kantar Worldpanel’s usage data that many European women are fragrance lovers, especially the Spanish, with 72% of them using fragrance. This compares to 68% of Polish, 64% of French, 54% of German, 51% of UK and 50% of Italian women. This passion for fragrance puts Europe ahead of the US, where only 28% of women claim to use fragrance.

— Read more at When New Is Not Enough! Fine Fragrances Fall Flat at Happi.

“Mass fragrance isn’t interesting to anyone anymore,” said one drugstore chain buyer who has chopped footage to the category significantly. “Celebrity fragrance is nowhere,” the buyer added, noting that in the past, star-studded brands kept the department afloat.

— From Mass Market Fragrance’s Great Disappearing Act at Women's Wear Daily (premium content).

Premium scents have kept the industry growing despite a slump in mass-market perfumes and colognes. The $6.6 billion market for US artisanal products and other premium fragrances is projected to grow 18 percent by 2020, according to Euromonitor International. Mass-market fragrances, meanwhile, are forecast to drop 15 percent.

— From Perfume Shoppers Swap Celebrities for Niche Scents Like Sea Salt at Business of Fashion.