????年終歲末，到了我們回顧總結的時候——想想看你在Facebook網站和你的Twitter動態（以及財富網站）瀏覽的各類“2013年最佳XX”榜單——同時也是在美好的期待中展望未來的時候。

????對于專注特定細分領域的公司來說，趨勢預測是重要的業務；Seven Scent公司就是個例子。這家公司成立于25年前，此前一直是PZ Cussons集團的香料開發部門，直到2010年才成為獨立運營的企業。盡管主要業務依然集中在香料開發方面，但Seven Scent公司已經確立了在香料預測和趨勢跟蹤領域的領導地位。

????根據北美的國際香料協會（International Fragrance Association）統計，全球香料市場的價值為80億到100億美元，其中日用香精占銷售額的21%，個人護理產品占25%，家居用品占49%的市場份額。

????鑒于這個行業的范圍，香料趨勢預測可能對市場產生重大的影響，推動香水調制的選擇，提供產品系列的發展趨勢。Seven Scent公司最近公布了一年兩次的2014-2014秋冬香料預測；你將看到——聞到！——這些香味出現在洗發水、蠟燭、洗潔精等產品中。

????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.