The professional salon beauty industry’s appliances category grew 4.2% in 2013, according to the new 2013 Professional Salon & Pro Beauty Industry Appliances & Shears Study from Professional Consultants & Resources, a U.S. salon and professional beauty industry strategic consulting, market intelligence and data research company. That is 55% greater than the overall salon industry’s growth rate of 2.8% for the same time frame. This comprehensive, 70-plus page study, which reports on sales of  hair dryers, curling/flat/styling irons, trimmers, clippers and shavers, and includes a complete section on shears, covers major trends and influences on the market, as well as 5-year historical and percentage per year growth projections, along with upcoming market needs of stylists and consumers. The study audits leading salon industry store stocking by brand, manufacturer and price and also taps expert resources of veteran executives in the professional salon industry and salon appliances marketplace.

“Salon appliances continued to be 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 salon companies have entered the hard goods category, now identified as a high-margin, high-profit market segment. A major struggle for industry domination and leadership continued during 2013. Erosion occurred with some major brands, as new entries increased their market shares and captive store brands gained further importance. Conair led the pro market sales by dollar volume for the third straight year.”

According to the study, the Top 10 professional salon appliance companies by dollar volume are:

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

• Helen of Troy (including Belson, Gold n’ Hot, Hot Tools, Revlon, Sassoon, Brazilian Heat, Laila Ali, Toni & Guy)

• Andis

• Wahl (Sterling)

• Oster (Jarden)

• Farouk Systems (CHI)

• John Paul Mitchell Systems

• Sally Beauty Brands

• Bio Ionic

• GHD

The study identifies key findings and growth drivers influencing all appliance sales in 2013:

• Sales of salon-only appliances grew 4.2%. Appliances in the pro beauty and gray market posted strong growth of 5.6%.

• Important growth factors affecting the appliance market were the continuing popularity of straightening and conditioning, new technology, the strength of at-home hair maintenance, plus the continuing trend to curly looks.

• New product features, resulting in higher prices and trendy new appliance features, offset lower, base-model pricing.

• Professional channel curling and flat iron sales grew at 5.3%; blow dryers grew 3.0% and clippers/trimmers at 5.7%.

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

• Continuing gray market diversion accounted for 26.9% of all appliances sales, with “exclusive” salon lines now available at major drug chains, Ulta, Sephora, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and other mass and grocery retailers.

• Helen of Troy reported strength in its Hot Tools appliance business; however, the company’s other brands were impacted by economic conditions and trends to captive labels. Conair has been the pro market leader for 3 years. 

• Farouk’s CHI Brand, which ranks sixth in professional distribution, expanded distribution to Sally Beauty.

• The study identifies significant changes at Bio Ionic, Paul Mitchell, Cricket, GHD, FHI Heat, HAI Elite and T-3.

• The study reviews Andis, Wahl, Oster and Forfex—the market leaders in the clipper/trimmer category—in detail.

• The 2013 study features an in-depth category report on the professional shears market.

Trade advertising data for appliances and shears are reported in depth, along with an analysis of 2013 promotions.
A special section reveals market shares for top companies and names more than 127 North American brands.

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