Salon hair care market in India
In a first time ever interview to industry media, Agnieszka Saintemarie, Industry Manager of Kline’s Consumer Products gives insights on the Salon hair care business in India drawing from Kline’s Salon Hair Care Global Series. — By Ritoo Jhha
How big is the salon hair care market in India? Organised vs. disorganised?
The salon hair care market in India (according to Kline’s Salon Hair Care Global Series report scope) is worth INR 11.7 billion at the manufacturers sales level in 2017. We don’t differentiate between organized or disorganized market but rather capture sales of all brands being used in salons in India.
What are the top five brands in salons for haircare?
The top five brands in the Indian salon hair care market all come from large multinational players. They are L’Oréal Professionnel, Matrix, Wella, Schwarzkopf Professional and Kérastase.
What has your study revealed regarding the peculiarities of the professional market in India?
Among 27 countries, and many of them in Asia, covered in the latest edition of Kline’s Salon Hair Care Global Series study, India is by far the fastest growing country market when it comes to professional hair care product sales. Although the market slows down slightly every year, it still shows 13% increase in 2017. Unlike most other Asian markets, Indian competitive landscape is dominated by multinational giants. Market growth is driven by the ongoing demand for salon services, such as hair coloring, straightening/smoothing, and cutting and styling. Additionally, increasing salon consumption and take-home sales of treatment products, such as bond-builders and oil-based products, support the market growth.
How does the business spread look between care, styling and colour?
According to Kline’s Salon Hair Care Global Series report, hair care (shampoos and conditioners) is by far the largest category accounting for almost 60% of the market, followed by hair coloring which is roughly half of the size of care category. Hair texturizing, and hair styling are minor categories, collectively accounting for approximately 13% of the market.
What is the fastest growing category?
Hair coloring is the fastest-growing category, growing above 15%. Although grey coverage continues to be the key reason behind category growth, there is a growing demand for fashionable colors influenced by celebrities.
What does the retail scenario look like in salon hair care?
Currently sales of professional hair care products to consumers happen mostly outside salons. In fact sales that happen outside salons – whether online or in brick and mortar stores are twice as important as salon retail.
What services are most availed?
Unlike in other markets, skin care is the biggest revenue generator for salons in India, followed by cutting and styling and hair coloring.
Have you studied the growth pattern of business in festive and bridal season? What are the conclusions?
We do not specifically track this information, however sales during the festive and holiday season definitely peaks.
Have you studied the professional skin care business in salons? What percentage is it of business?
In terms of hair salons, skin care services account roughly for one third of their revenues.