About the market:

UK retail sales of haircare products amounted to some £965 million (€1.4 billion) in 2004, some 7% higher than in 1999. Shampoos represent around a third of market value, with styling products taking almost 28% and conditioners and colourants just under a fifth each.

The major market trend has been for manufacturers to add value by ever more specific segmentation, with variants for all hair types and hair colours, variants with a range of added benefits, many of which have been inspired by skincare – relaxing, moisturising, repairing and emphasis on key ingredients, be they “scientific” or “natural”. This process – referred to in this report as “hypersegmentation” – has chimed with current social and cultural trends towards individualism and reflects trends in other major cosmetics & toiletries markets.

About Mintel’s research:

Using the latest consumer research, market size data and trend analysis, this report provides vital new insight into the current state of the market and its prospects, investigating its drivers, segmentation and sales forecasts.

Mintel’s findings offer you a unique way of understanding consumer trends and the preferences of the market’s key target audiences, enabling you to tailor your marketing to real demand, both tactically and strategically. Use Mintel’s research to avoid market pitfalls, discover sector opportunities, identify growth potential and achieve the best possible results.

Intriguing findings include:

Amongst European men covered by this report,, British men register the highest penetration rate for conditioner (29%) and hair gel, mousse and spray (32%), implying further potential to develop male-specific product lines.