4.The Marketing Environment

The cosmetic industry today is growing rapidly. Today more than ever people are concerned about how the look and search for ways how to improve their looks. This trend isn't just clearly noticable in the female population, but also very significant in the male population( metrosexuals). Social environment An important trend that is occuring today is that the population is getting older, and at the same time with a little help from the media people are becoming more aware of the importance of their appearance. Also, people are becoming more demanding and want the best for themselves, meaning quality. This gives high-quality cosmetic companies, which already have a brand name, like Clinique a competitive advantage. Estee Lauder Inc., including Clinique have successfully adapted to the new movement called consumerism, which protects the rights of buyers. Clinique is commited to providing customers with innovative cosmetic products of the highest quality and outstanding service. ( Commitment and Principles) Competitive environment The cosmetic industry today is dominated by a small number of multinational companies, with big market shares. This industry grows significantly every year, making it very attractive for new entrants. Prestigious brands like Clinique are not only facing fierce competition from domestic new entrants, but also from international brands such as Shiseido, a popular Japanese brand. Environmental responsibility Precautionary Principle: The traditional definition of the Precautionary Principle has three elements:threat of harm; scientific uncertainty; and preventive, precautionary action. According to experts in this area, the final test for knowing when to apply the Precautionary Principle is the combination of threat of harm and scientific uncertainty. At this time, Estee Lauder Inc., including Clinique are reviewing this complex process which must take into consideration the different regulatory obligations in the countries where they  operate, the shifting nature of information and opinion on environmental matters, and their responsibilities to all of their Company's stakeholders, including consumers. In the meantime, they comply with applicable worldwide regulations, continuously monitore their products for safety and actively analyze peer-reviewed research.