China Scented Candles Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Container-based, Pillars), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Convenience Stores & Gift Centres, Online), And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

China Scented Candles Market Trends

The China scented candles market size was estimated at USD 30.36 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% from 2024 to 2030. The market is characterised with both business to customer as well as business to business sales, as the scented candles are used to add aesthetic value or scent in both type of setting including domestic (households, apartments, bedrooms, bathrooms) and commercial spaces (hotel rooms, lobbies, restaurants, coffee shops, business outlets). China is considered as one of the key markets of scented candles in Asia Pacific after other county-based markets such as Japan and India.

China scented candles market accounted for the share of 5.32 % of the global scented candles market in 2023. The scented candles are popular among the country since many decades. In the region, it is linked with evoking memories, provide pleasant surroundings and enhance user’s wellbeing on both physical and mental front. In terms of traditional significance, the scented candles are lit on New Year’s night to keep vigil the entire night. In addition, post pandemic times; many brands have opened stores in the country to meet the growing demands. The luxury home fragrance industry has been experiencing growth patterns in the region, which is assisting the rising response for scented candles in the country.

The key lifestyle trends in the country include aspects such as self-care, hyper localized approaches and adds use of scented candles to establish and maintain pleasing surroundings. It is believed that residents of the region have been using scents and incense since the presence of dynasties. Furthermore, the industry has been offering wide range of choices like never before, and strong marketing strategies adopted by the manufacturers and retailers have been creating noteworthy impact on the market. The rising population, higher disposable income and shopping spree tendencies identified in the market post pandemic years are some of the key reason that are expected to assist the China scented candles market in maintaining its upward growth trend.

The hypermarkets & supermarkets, specialty stores opened by brands in urbanised areas, and presence of products in local shops is also accompanied by online platforms such as Xiaohongshu are contributing to growth in demand for scented candles in China. Furthermore, the presence of various well-being and mindfulness programs is resulting in upsurge of demand for scented candles. This includes activities and events related to concepts such as yoga and martial arts. Moreover, trends related aromatherapy are also contributing to the growing sale of the candles in Asia Pacific markets.

Market Concentration & Characterization

The China scented candles market is growing at accelerating pace and the market growth stage is identified as medium. The China scented candles market is fragmented and is fundamentally characterized by different domestic as well as international companies operating in the country. The post pandemic years, with open borders, provided opportunity for international key players to start selling their home fragrance products in the region to cater the unceasing demand. The hospitality franchises, hotels, and restaurants are also part of end-users for scented candles, which develops B2B opportunities for the businesses across the globe. This has resulted into market fragmentation, as wide range of products are continuously made available in the market.

The degree of innovation is identified as high. The ever-changing needs and interests of customers are integral part of consumer goods industry, and scented candles market is no exception. This has been pushing the brands and manufacturers to innovate constantly to maintain the element of novelty in the market. This leads to new product launches in the industry and call backs of older ones from the markets. The innovation is generally done in terms of materials used for containers, extended time of burning for candles, variety of fragrances, combination of newer and classic scents to launch products with extra surprise element, etc. The home décor industry is run with novelty at its core, and so is the scented candles market in the China.

The level of merger & acquisitions is considered as medium. Mostly, the partnerships are initiated with purpose of expansion of product portfolio, sharing of technologies and growth in market penetration. For instance, in April 2023, company from French fragrance industry, partnered with Yu Hui Tseng, Paris- based first female tea master belonging to Chinese tradition. Threat of substitutes in this industry is low as customers from China are drawn toward the candles since very long time and has significance of candles in their own tradition since centuries now.

Product Insights

The container-based scented candles market in China held the revenue share of 59.43% in year 2023. The container-based scented candles have been gaining popularity across the country primarily due to features offered by the product. Often, these products are also available with the personalised touch and added customised value. Manufacturers provide attractive containers for scented candles which are generally made out of non-flammable materials, which then are filled with paraffin wax. These candles have very low melting point which leads to longer times in terms of burning, approximately 100 hours.

Container-based scented candles are widely used in luxury hotels and restaurants as they provide an intimate and relaxing ambiance. These products are an important component of the sensory experience that luxury hotels look to offer. In addition, the container-based candles often carry better durability factor than scented candles in different shapes and pillar forms. The pillar scented candles market in China is growing at CAGR of 4.0%, is expected to perform well from 2024 to 2030.

Distribution Channel Insights

The sales of scented candles through convenience stores & gift centres in China market accounted for revenue share of 52.71% in the year 2023. During the pandemic times, in the years like 2020 and 2021, the convenience store & gift centres experienced the heavy dip in the sales, owing to strict lockdowns and the pandemic scare in the country, however, from 2022, the China scented candles market has been showing gradual growth trends and is continuing towards anticipated market size at accelerating pace. The presence of speciality stores and availability of scented candles in hypermarkets and supermarkets has been assisting the industry to attain greater sales at lucrative pace. Higher and ever increasing disposable income of the population and increasing presence of international brand has been resulting in increased revenue generation through offline channels.

In addition, the presence of online industry leaders such as retail company Alibaba and social media player Xiaohongshu has been generating demand for scented candles through online channels as well. The sales of scented candles through online channels is expected to grow at CAGR 4.8% from 2024 to 2030. According to Digital Commerce 360, in 2020, China accounted for more than 59% of Asia’s online sales and registered a 14.5% increase in growth from 2019.

Key China Scented Candles Company Insights

The China scented candles industry is fragmented, consists existence of numerous reputable businesses as well as several recently founded, mid-sized, small size companies offering the scented candles. The market competition is principally influenced by the presence of international players and key innovation strategies implemented by the makers. The partnerships aimed to achieve excellence in terms of scents offered and discovery of new fragrances have also been shaping the competitive edge for some of the industry participants.

Recent Developments

• The famous French fragrance brand, Cire Trudon, in April 2023, partnered with Yu Hui Tseng, first female tea master, who belongs to very old Chinese family and is is descendant of the first disciple of Confucius. The brand collaborated with her to launch luxurious series of scented candles.

• Le Labo, in May 2023, opened its space in historical shikumen building, which is situated in Shanghai’s Xintiandi district. The store was set up to sell Le Labo’s extended range of scented products.

China Scented Candles Market Report Scope

China Scented Candles Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the country level and offers a scrutiny of the most recent industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the China Scented Candles market report based on product, and distribution channel:

• Product Outlook (Revenue; USD Million; 2018 - 2030)

  • Container Based

  • Pillar

  • Others

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue; USD Million; 2018 - 2030)

  • Hypermarkets & Supermarkets

  • Convenience Stores & Gift Centers

  • Online