Men’s Hair Care Sales Hold Firm

Nielsen Wire — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:11:31 +0000

Even in a recession, sales of most men’s hair care products are expected to remain steady, according to data from Nielsen’s Homescan Consumer Facts report. As male vanity continues to be all the rage, some sectors have shown solid growth: hair coloring grew 5.7 percent in 2008 over 2007, and in that year, growth was a miniscule 1.7 percent after two successive years of declining sales. New products such as brush-in gel and liquid colorings drove last year’s growth.

Dollar sales of hair preparations such as gels, pomade and waxes slowed but continued four years of strong growth. In 2008, dollar sales were up a modest 1.8 percent after growing 13.5 percent in 2007, 13.4 percent in 2006 and 7.7 percent in 2005.

Sales of men’s hair spray continued to collapse: they fell 7 percent in dollars to $14.1 million and a decline of 7.2 percent in unit volume.

This report was originally featured in the January issue of Facts, Figures & the Future, a monthly e-publication focused on delivering the latest consumer data and trend information to members of the Food Marketing Institute and clients of Nielsen. Facts, Figures & the Future is published by The Lempert Report/Consumer Insight, Inc. and is sponsored by the Food Marketing Institute and Nielsen.

In U.S., Higher Prices Haunt Halloween Revelers

admin — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:03:05 +0000

Despite higher prices for candy and costume accessories this year, U.S. consumers are expected to purchase more than $1.9 billion in candy for Halloween, Nielsen reported Tuesday.

Costume hair coloring products showed the largest price increase — up 126% to an average of $4.42 this year. On average, candy prices are up 2.9% this year, with chocolate candy prices up an average of 4.2%.

Despite that price hike, chocolate candy is expected to account for $1.2 billion of Halloween candy sales, while non-chocolate candy will account for nearly $672 million, according to Nielsen.

Halloween generates the greatest sales volume of sweets for the entire year, with more than one-third (35%) of total annual sales of chocolate miniatures, 36% of non-chocolate miniatures, 25% of lollipops, and 18% of bubble gum sales taking place during the Halloween season.

Consumers typically wait until the last minute to purchase their Halloween candy. Last year, weekly candy sales more than doubled between early October ($196 million in sales) and October 31 ($436 million in sales), with most candy sales occurring on October 28 — just three days before Halloween.

Given the current economic conditions, that trend will likely continue this year.

“In today’s tough economy, it’s very possible we will see more consumers waiting to buy candy, as budget conscious consumers wait for the biggest bargains,” Tom Pirovano, director of Industry Insights, Nielsen, noted.

View the full press release.

Read coverage of Nielsen’s findings in the (N.J.) Star-Ledger, Gourmet Retailer, Marketing VOX, Radio Business Report, and Progressive Grocer.

Nielsen Wire » hair coloring products

Men’s Hair Care Sales Hold Firm

In U.S., Higher Prices Haunt Halloween Revelers