6 years ago
Apparently we are, Sorceress.
Interesting read. Thanks for sharing, PontNeuf!
My thoughts? Chicken-and-egg.
The rise of the scent snob is explicitly attributed to mass-market blandness. And I agree, the more pointless iteration of mediocrity is being churned out, the more we turn to niche to still find anything beautiful and original. Reacting to the increasingly measly choice mainstream has to offer does not constitute a cause, or does it? Somewhat sneering to equate this with snobbery; but that's beside the point.
I'd argue it is mainstream's own doing that lies at the root of the stated double-digit growth rates of the niche market. And the likes of L'Oréal, LVMH, etc. seem to have found an answer to it: get a new cash cow by acquiring excellent niche houses and release more trivia but with a hefty price tag.