2014香氛潮流大预测

    年终岁末，到了我们回顾总结的时候——想想看你在Facebook网站和你的Twitter动态（以及财富网站）浏览的各类“2013年最佳XX”榜单——同时也是在美好的期待中展望未来的时候。

    对于专注特定细分领域的公司来说，趋势预测是重要的业务；Seven Scent公司就是个例子。这家公司成立于25年前，此前一直是PZ Cussons集团的香料开发部门，直到2010年才成为独立运营的企业。尽管主要业务依然集中在香料开发方面，但Seven Scent公司已经确立了在香料预测和趋势跟踪领域的领导地位。

    根据北美的国际香料协会（International Fragrance Association）统计，全球香料市场的价值为80亿到100亿美元，其中日用香精占销售额的21%，个人护理产品占25%，家居用品占49%的市场份额。

    鉴于这个行业的范围，香料趋势预测可能对市场产生重大的影响，推动香水调制的选择，提供产品系列的发展趋势。Seven Scent公司最近公布了一年两次的2014-2014秋冬香料预测；你将看到——闻到！——这些香味出现在洗发水、蜡烛、洗洁精等产品中。

    The end of the year is a time for looking back—think of all those "Best [Blank] Of 2013 ..." lists you've been seeing pop up on Facebook and in your Twitter feed (and on Fortune.com)—and also for looking forward in anticipation of what's to come.

    Trend forecasting can be big business for companies with a lock on certain niche areas of focus; take Seven Scent, Ltd., for example. The company, which was established as a developer of fragrances 25 years ago as part of the PZ Cussons group, established itself as a standalone business in 2010. While its primary business is still centered on fragrance development, Seven has also established itself as a leader in fragrance forecasting and trend tracking.

    According to the International Fragrance Association of North America, the global fragrance market is worth between $8-10 million, with fine fragrances accounting for 21% of sales, personal care products 25% and household goods at 49% of the market.

    Given the scope of the industry, fragrance trend forecasting can have a major impact on the marketplace, driving perfume blending choices as well as informing the development of product lines. Seven Scent recently released its biannual fragrance forecast for Fall/Winter 2014-15; look—or sniff!—for these perfume notes in product releases ranging from shampoo to candles to dish soap.