Manufacturer sales for the professional salon industry’s appliances category grew 4.7% in 2015, according to the new 2015 ProfessionalSalon & Pro Beauty Industry Appliances & Shears Study from Professional Consultants & Resources, a leading strategic consulting, market intelligence and data research company for the U.S. salon and professional beauty industry. That rate is 47% greater than the overall salon industry’s growth rate of 3.2% for the same time frame. Sales to the pro beauty and gray market posted lower growth at 2.1%. This comprehensive, 85-plus page study reports on sales of professional hair dryers, curling/flat/styling irons, trimmers, clippers and shavers to professional salons and stylists, Sally Beauty and non-salon outlets. It also includes a complete section on shears, covering major trends and influences on the market, categories and segments. A 5-year historical and 5-year growth projection is included, along with market needs of both stylists and consumers. The study audits leading salon industry beauty store stocking by brand and by manufacturer, while tapping the expert resources of veteran executives in the professional salon industry and salon appliances category.

“Salon appliances continued their ‘hot’ streak as a leading growth category in the professional beauty industry for the seventh straight year,” says Cyrus Bulsara, president of Professional Consultants & Resources. “As a result, major professional softgoods salon companies have entered the hardgoods category, now identified as a high-margin, high-profit market segment. A major struggle for industry domination and leadership at the top continued during 2015, with Conair leading pro market sales by dollar volume for the third straight year. Significant erosion occurred with some major brands, as new entries increased their market shares and captive store brands gained further importance.” Top brand-by-brand analysis is reported.

The Top 10 professional salon appliance companies by dollar volume are:

1. Conair (includes BaByliss, Forfex, Italia Brava, BeLiss Pro, Jilbere, Rusk, One n’ Only/Argan, Mira Curl, Volare)

2. Helen of Troy (includes Belson, NextGen, Gold n’ Hot, Hot Tools, Revlon, Sassoon, Brazilian Heat, Laila Ali, TIGI)

3. Andis

4. Wahl (Sterling)

5. Farouk Systems (CHI)

6. Oster (Div. Newell-Rubbermaid /Jarden)

7. John Paul Mitchell Systems

8. GHD

9. Sally Beauty Brands

10. Remington

Note: Based only on styling appliances (excluding clippers/trimmers), Bio Ionic, FHI Brands, Cricket and Turbo Power would make the Top 10 list.

Other key findings and growth drivers influencing appliance sales during 2015:

• Professional channel curling and flat iron sales grew at 4.8%; blow dryers grew 3.7% and clippers/trimmers at 3.1%.

• Important style and growth factors affecting appliances were the continued demand for curling and specialty irons, along with the continued strength of flat irons, plus, newer heat-control technologies introduced into the market.

• Growth in chair and suite rental salons contributed to sales at Beauty Systems Group/CosmoProf, SalonCentric and other full-service distributor stores. Rentals are the fastest growing industry segment and use the newest hardgoods.

• Continuing non-salon outlet sales accounted for 26.0% of all appliance sales, with “exclusive” salon lines now available at QVC, HSN, Sephora, Target, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and other mass and department store retailers.

• Helen of Troy reported increased personal care sales, with modest strength in its Hot Tools brand.

• New premium and luxe product features resulted in higher prices and offset lower, base-model pricing sales.

• Farouk (CHI Brand), which ranked fifth in overall professional distribution and third in styling appliances, gained share.

• The study reviews major clipper/trimmer market leaders: Andis, Wahl, Oster and BaByliss/Conair/Forfex.

• The 2015 study features an in-depth category report on the entire professional shears category.

Trade advertising data for appliances and shears are reported in depth, along with an analysis of 2015 promotions. A special section reveals market shares and significant changes at top companies and lists more than 130 North American brands.

For purchasing information or questions, contact Cyrus Bulsara at cyrus.bulsara@ProConsultants.us or go to www.ProConsultants.us.