The company plans to open the 7500sf Princeton Consumer Research Centre in New Jersey which is set to feature what the brand describes as one of biggest state-of-the-art ‘hot room’ facilities on the globe.
The centre is the second US unit operated by Aspen, the first being on the West Coast in Santa Monica, which will close around October time so that US operations will all be based in Princeton.
Aspen is moving location as it reports the market in the East Coast to have seen an enormous increase in sales over the past 12 months, from companies based predominantly there.
The facility will primarily test antiperspirants and deodrants, along with a full service hair salon, bio-instrumentation room and dedicated clinical rooms that can switch between 30 subject patch tests, to 250 subject trials.
According to Kerry Gibbs, director of global business development: “We are thrilled with the new site, we will be one of the largest independently owned research facilities on the East Coast and we look forward to welcoming clients old and new to tour the facility once it’s fully open."
US cosmetics sales on the rise
According to figures from market researcher Kline, total US cosmetics sales exceeded $41 billion at the manufacturers’ level in 2013 up 2.4% from the previous year.
Hair care and oral care are still contributing to overall market growth, but the analyst suggests that it is make-up that is producing one of the strongest performances, although there are still difficulties.
The market researcher also predicts that due to the continued growth in critical markets and product classes, the cosmetics market will see renewed growth long into the future, as brands adapt to the ever-changing needs of the consumer.
“Although economic instability has inhibited the industry in recent years, the improving global economy will ameliorate the faults of years past,” says an analyst blog.
“Alongside such renewed economic confidence, the innovations to products and growing multi-purpose functionality will only be beneficial to the industry for the foreseeable future.”