Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna show records 4.5% visitor increase

The 56th edition of Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, the world’s leading trade event for the cosmetics industry, was held on March 20-22. It welcomed over 255,000 visitors from 150 countries, browsing among 3,128 exhibitors from 65 countries, representing over 10,000 brands. “We are extremely proud of the results of this edition,” said Gianpiero Calzolari, president of show organiser BolognaFiere Cosmoprof.  “We have concluded a record-breaking Cosmoprof, confirming once again that the exhibition — through its initiatives and services aimed at optimising business opportunities among industry professionals — is an essential tool for the sector’s growth,” he added.

The show “recorded a 4.5% increase in visitors compared to last year, with a significant number of high-calibre international attendees.” Visitor growth was helped by “buyer recruitment programmes targeting key markets, and the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), which facilitated the presence of 80 delegations from major global markets,” added Calzolari, who went on to say that Cosmoprof “reflects the constant growth of the global beauty industry, which is expected to exceed €612 billion in revenue in 2025.”

This year’s Cosmoprof Bologna was held over an exhibition area that was 5.8% larger than in 2024, featuring 29 national stands, while 78% of exhibitors came from outside Italy.

“The beauty industry is on the rise: in 2023, [Italy’s] exports grew by over 20% compared to 2022, and in 2024 we observed a further 11.4% increase over the previous year,” said Matteo Zoppas, president of ITA. “We can confidently say that beauty is one of the driving forces behind Made-in-Italy exports. While some sectors, such as automotive, are experiencing a decline, the cosmetics industry has contributed significantly to stabilizing the national economy. With €8.4 billion in exports, accounting for over 40% of the sector’s total revenue, beauty remains a strategic asset for Made-in-Italy, especially considering the €626 billion generated globally last year,” added Zoppas.

The partnership with Italian cosmetics industry association Cosmetica Italia was also key for the event. “With revenue of €16.5 billion, the cosmetics industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors within Made-in-Italy, with 12% export growth in just one year. A record trade surplus of almost €4.7 billion confirms the strategic role of cosmetics within the Italian manufacturing sector,” said Benedetto Lavino, president of Cosmetica Italia. He also underlined how “the exhibition highlighted the sector’s importance in job creation, with 400,000 professionals working across the entire supply chain [in Italy].”

In terms of the sector’s relationship with political institutions, Lavino said that “our dialogue with political and institutional representatives, including Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprises and Made-in-Italy, and his deputy Valentino Valentini… brought crucial industry concerns to the government’s attention. A strong synergy between businesses and institutions is essential to tackle future challenges, protecting us from duties and other protectionist trade measures, and securing the industry’s continued growth.”

Cosmoprof once again proved to be “a hub for new trends and ideas. This year, our exhibition provided industry professionals from around the world with insights into the beauty sector’s evolution and its most significant trends, from sustainability to the demand for products that cater to emerging consumer clusters, from wellness-focused solutions to the influence of new technologies and AI on product experiences,” said Enrico Zannini, managing director of BolognaFiere Cosmoprof. He added that, in the coming months, “we’ll start laying the groundwork for an even more engaging and high-performing edition in 2026.”  The 57th edition of Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna will be held in March 2026.