Manufacturer sales for the professional salon industry’s appliances category grew 4.5% in 2016, according to the new 2016 Professional Salon & Pro Beauty Industry Appliances & Shears Study from Professional Consultants & Resources, a leading strategic consulting, market intelligence and data research company for the professional beauty industry. That rate is 32% greater than the overall salon industry’s growth rate of 3.4% in 2016. 

Sales to the open-line/pro beauty and gray market posted lower growth at 1.8%. This comprehensive, 93-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 gray market 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 are 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 marketplace.  

“Salon appliances continued their ‘hot’ streak as a leading growth category in the professional beauty industry for the eighth 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 2016, with Conair leading pro market sales by dollar volume for the fourth straight year. Significant erosion occurred with some major brands, as new entries increased their market shares and captive store brands gained 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, BeLissPro, 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. Farouk Systems (CHI)

5. Wahl (Sterling)

6. John Paul Mitchell Systems

7. Oster (a division of Newell-Rubbermaid/Jarden)

8. Sally Beauty Brands

9. GHD

10. Remington

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

Some key findings and growth drivers influencing appliance sales during 2016:

• Professional channel curling and flat iron sales grew at 4.1%; blow dryers grew 2.8% and clippers/trimmers at 5.3%.

• Important style trends and growth factors driving appliances included the continued demand for curling and specialty irons, along with sustained 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 gray market diversion accounted for nearly 25% of all appliance sales, with “exclusive” salon lines now available at QVC, HSN, Sephora, Target, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and other mass and department store retailers.

• New premium and deluxe product features resulted in higher prices and offset sales of lower-priced base models.

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

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

• The 2016 study features an in-depth category report on the entire professional shears market.

Trade advertising data for appliances and shears are reported in depth, along with an analysis of 2016 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.