The growing textured hair market in a world where 60% of the population has natural curls, coils or waves -- has been bolstered by women embracing their natural hair textures. As demand for products suited to specific hair types has increased and the use of relaxers has declined, a competitive landscape has emerged, and retailers are expanding inventory and looking to stake their claim in the dynamic, lucrative and global marketplace.
The number of natural hair consumers will rise over the next 4 years. Sales on hair relaxers dropped 17% in 2011- 67% decline predicted by 2016 and 86% believe women are more willing to embrace their natural curls today than 5 years ago.
Natural hair and curly hair are the top searched terms in hair care. Natural hair YouTube videos get MILLIONS of views from texture haired women looking for information and inspiration. 83% of curly/coily consumers say online reviews are important to product purchase decisions
In 2012, more than a dozen brands launched specifically for women transitioning from relaxers to natural hair. Manufacturers included smaller home-grown companies as well as industry leaders who launched lines specifically for curly hair, including Redkens new Curvaceous line and Paul Mitchell Curls four-product line.
Today, nearly every major brand has a curl-specific line on the market, and those that dont are in R&D mode to make sure they dont miss out on this large and growing segment a segment that no longer is viewed as a passing trend or insignificant niche.
In 2012, more than a dozen brands launched specifically for women transitioning from relaxers to natural hair.
The dynamism of this market is also reflected in how and where these products are merchandised and promoted. Mass retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart and drug stores like Walgreens and CVS dedicate prominent shelf space to products for textured hair rather than relegating these products to the traditional ethnic sections of their stores. Hair care is no longer a black and white issue. These consumers have their own unique identity that has more to do with the texture of their hair than the color of their skin.
Retailers are aggressively going after cult curly brands like Miss Jessies, Mixed Chicks, Kinky-Curly and CURLS. Beauty retailers like ULTA and Sally Beauty, for example, also heavily promote their products for curls and coils, seeing the tremendous opportunity presented by this valuable consumer as curly hair consumers spend 50% more on conditioners and stylers than straight hair consumers.
The TextureTrends 2012 research also compares these findings to the straight-haired consumer Even stores like Whole Foods Market have caught onto the value of this market. Its been a tremendous area of growth for the past three years, says Jeremiah McElwe, executive whole body coordinator at Whole Foods Market Inc. Global Purchasing Team. A few brands have emerged that have really opened things up for us, and established brands have come out with curl-focused products. The product assortment has broadened, and it has been a hot growth area in general.
TextureTrends Wave 2 evaluates the current environment of what people with curly, coily, and wavy hair are purchasing, where theyre buying, how much theyre spending, and what is impacting their purchasing decisions.
In 2012, the TextureTrends research also compares these findings to the straight-haired consumer. To learn more about the texture haired market and consumer spend, please join us at 1 pm (EST) on February 7, 2013 for a webinar hosted by TextureMedia and Phoenix Marketing International. To register, please click here.
