Summary

The global men's razor market has experienced steady growth, with a projected annual growth rate of 7% from 2024 to 2033. As of 2023, the market is valued at $26.83 billion. Europe currently leads the market holding a 26.2% share, but Asian markets, particularly in India and China, are rapidly expanding with an expected CAGR of 11% until 2031. Procter & Gamble, owning brands like Gillette, Venus, and Braun, dominates over 60% of the global market. Consumer behavior in France suggests that traditional influencers such as celebrities and sports stars have diminished in impact, with friends, family, and stylists being more influential, with over 50% of men veering away from daily clean shaves. Companies like Nivea and Bulldog Skincare for Men are pivoting towards sustainability and skin wellbeing, while Gillette invests heavily in R&D, reflected in their heated razor product. The market is adapting to sustainability and practicality trends, evidenced by Bic launching the EasyRinse razor designed for easy cleaning and refillability in the US, with plans for a similar product in France..Shifting Trends in the French Shaving Market: Embracing Care and Sustainability In the French shaving market, the traditional practice of daily, close shaving is witnessing a significant shift. Recent trends indicate that more than half of French men, approximately 51%, have moved away from the customary daily shave, indicating a sizeable change in the grooming habits that have been passed down generations. This transformative trend is not confined to the younger demographic; men over the age of 45 are also increasingly favoring a bearded look, suggesting a broader, cross-generational appeal and redefining the market's consumer base. Market dynamics reveal a striking dichotomy between the routine of frequent shaves among the older group and the eclectic shaving habits of the younger population, which tend to be less consistent and more influenced by fashion. Nevertheless, despite these differing habits, there is a collective move towards an integrated approach to shaving that is more aligned with self-care and wellness than ever before. Shaving is increasingly seen as part of a wider skincare routine, with the uptake of products such as pre-shaves, aftershaves, and beard oils signifying a holistic grooming consciousness. The inroads made by beard culture have opened up opportunities for entering the broader skin and facial care markets for men. This has led to strong growth in sub-segments like shaving preparations—valued at approximately between 80 and 85 million euros—with a substantial increase of about 35% over four years. What used to be seen as a mere necessity has transformed into a pleasurable self-care ritual. The French market is dominated by mechanical shavers and blades, a segment that saw a decrease from around 340 to 310 million euros over a five-year period; however, the emergence of pure players specializing in sales through subscription services is giving traditional market leaders a run for their money. Men's shaving habits are being influenced by friends, family, and stylists rather than celebrities or influencers, with social media platforms like Instagram playing a minor role. The influence of environmental consciousness and demand for sustainable products is palpable. Notable companies have launched products with organic components and razor handles made from sustainable materials. For instance, major brands like Nivea and Bulldog Skincare for Men have delved into more natural solutions, an indication that the market's orientation is evolving towards eco-friendliness and practicality. In summary, the French shaving market is undergoing a generational shift with a growing inclination towards skincare and sustainability. The move away from daily shaving underscores a significant change in grooming habits,.### Titans & Innovators: Shaping the Competitive Landscape of the Men's Shaving Market The men's shaving market is a battlefield where legacy brands wielding their time-tested blades clash with nimble upstarts carving out niches through innovation and changing socio-cultural norms. This complex ecosystem is governed by a few key players who maintain a semblance of oligarchy, while newcomers continuously challenge the status quo with disruptive business models and product ingenuities. #### Gillette: The Standard-Bearer of Shaving Domination As the vanguard of men's shaving, Procter & Gamble's Gillette stands as a colossus commanding significant market terrain. With an illustrious history of over a century, Gillette has been synonymous with innovation and efficiency in the shaving world. This behemoth's business model — altruistically presenting the razor handle only to firmly lock in the customer with ongoing blade refill sales — continues to prove its mettle. Buoyed by massive R&D investments and shrewd marketing strategies, the brand maintains a fearsome array of product offerings adorning virtual and physical shelves, including its revered lines, Fusion and Mach3. #### Wilkinson Sword: The Steely Contender Another veteran in the ring, Wilkinson Sword, matches Gillette stroke for stroke in the gladiatorial arena of men's grooming. Though perhaps less globally dominant than its American counterpart, Wilkinson Sword has etched a name for itself, thanks to its solid product craftsmanship and a loyal user base. Its range spans the gamut from disposable units to multi-blade systems, offering men the choice of a classic close shave or the convenience of modern design. #### Philips: The Electric Maverick Philips has electrified the grooming game with its innovative array of electric shavers. As a global leader in personal care electronics, Philips' OneBlade system disrupts traditional notions of shaving with a hybrid approach, blurring the lines between electric and manual. Philips has adeptly adapted to consumptive shifts, catering to the groomer who favors electric convenience and technological prowess. #### Bic: The Disposable Dynamo A protagonist in the no-frills end of the spectrum, Bic, has long championed the disposable razor segment. Its products cater to those who seek simplicity without the commitment of ongoing blade replacements. While traditional in its offerings, Bic is also responsive to the currents of change; as evidenced by its foray into more sustainable, eco-conscious products designed for the environmentally-aware shaver. #### Innovative Upstarts: Big Moustache and Dollar Shave Club
Get all the information you need
to understand this market

Detailed content

Inforamtion

  • Number of pages : 30 pages
  • Format : Digital and PDF versions
  • Last update : 16/04/2024
Update Details

Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definition and scope of study

The men's razor market is a sub-segment of the men's hygiene and beauty market. The razor is the device used by men primarily to shave facial hair.the straight razor, with its large, fully exposed blade used by hairdressers or enthusiastic amateurs, can be contrasted with the safety razor, where only a portion of the blade is exposed.

The disposable-blade razor was patented by Gillette in 1904, the first electric razor dates back to 1928 (invented by Jacob Schick), and Gillette developed the first disposable "razor-blade" in 1974. Today's razors generally have one to 5 blades.

The (safety) razor market comprises several segments:

  • clippers
  • electric shavers
  • mechanical shavers (refillable shavers/systems, associated blades and disposable shavers)

The markets for shaving preparation products (gel/foam/shaving cream) andaftershave products (lotions/baumes/gel), linked to the razor market, will be discussed.

The global razor market is growing, with an average annual growth rate of 7% from 2024 to 2033. Europe dominates the global market, while the Latin American market is the most dynamic, posting strong growth.

The domestic market, on the other hand, is losing steam, with sales down 16% in seven years. While the French market is dominated by mechanical shavers, this segment is in sharp decline. The beard trend and the emergence of pure players specializing in distance-selling and the development of subscription offers have turned the market upside down. However, shavers are still mainly distributed in supermarkets and hypermarkets in France.

1.2 A growing global market

The global shaver market is in rather good shape, estimated in **** at $**.** billion, and expected to record a CAGR (***) of *% over the period ****-****.

evolution of global shaver market size World, ****-****, in billions of dollars Source: ****

Generally speaking, end-users are more likely to be male, which can help market players ...

1.3 The national market for men's shavers

The men's shaving market has seen a substantial **% drop in sales over the past seven years, from ***.* million euros to ***.* million euros by ****.

This decline, which has been accentuated by theimpact of the health crisis in France on spending and needs for beauty products, is above all linked to the new ...

1.4 The national market for before- and after-shave products

The shaving preparation and aftershave markets are directly linked to the razor market. Between **** and ****, sales of the shaving preparation market fell from **.** million to ** million, representing an overall decline of **.**% over four years.

Market for shaving preparation products France, ****-****, in millions of euros Source: ****

Between **** and ****, sales of theaftershave ...

1.5 Trade balance analysis

From **** to ****, French imports of razors and razor blades fell from $**.* million to $**.* million, while exports fell slightly from $*** million to $***.* million.

The coverage rate varied, peaking at **.*% in **** before falling to **.*% in ****. This suggests that French exports cover a smaller share of imports in **** than they did in ****, reflecting a ...

2 Demand analysis

2.1 General characteristics of the request

In the world of men's shaving, in ****, manual shavers with refillable blades dominated the market (***), denoting a preference for both traditional and technological options. Disposable trimmers and manual razors followed, with **% and **% respectively, indicating significant use for specific needs or convenience.

Which shaving tool do you use most? France, ****, in Source: ...

2.2 A decline in shaving in favor of beards

By ****, the general trend was for a decline in shaving frequency among men, partly due to the pandemic and teleworking.work, with a notable drop in sales and unit sales for traditional shaving products (***). In fact, **% of men said they shaved less frequently during confinement. [***]

Kantar data also reveal a decline ...

2.3 Consumer influencers

In ****, most people seek advice and inspiration from friends, professional stylists and the articles they read. Interestingly, celebrities, sports stars and influencers no longer seem to be a source of inspiration for the French. [***]

Factors influencing shaving and hair removal habits in France France, ****, in Source : Gillette Regardless of age, the ...

3 Market structure

3.1 Business models and popular brands for manual shaving

The big, older shaving brands are increasingly facing competition from smaller players, as mentioned above. There are strong opportunities for brands to use direct and digital interactions to get to know their consumers better, and to use them to guide marketing and launch activities .

However, traditional players such as Wilkinson Sword, ...

3.2 The electric shaver business model and popular brands

We can observe similar trends but different brands among electric shavers. Here, the Philipps brand dominates, with Braun in second place. The business model is similar, with sales also focused on complementary parts such as shaver heads and cartridge refills.

3.3 An innovative market that tries to adapt to new market trends

Here again, we can distinguish between manufacturers of mechanical shavers and electric shavers, around whom the organization and dynamics of the market are structured.

The organization of the mechanical shaver industry is fairly straightforward:

Suppliers of raw materials such as steel and plastic for handles Manufacturers (***) as major players, with their ...

3.4 A new business model driven by new players

Even though giants such as Wilkinson, Gilette, Braun and Bic monopolize the men's razor market, new trends are shaking up this order with ideas that are attracting large numbers of customers. One of these trends is online sales, which have quickly become an obstacle to the major players in the market, ...

3.5 Interview with Alexis de Guitaut, director of the Rasage Classique website

Cantiane:Hello and welcome to Vue d'Ensemble, the podcast that gives you a **-minute insight into the challenges facing a market. My name is Cantiane, and I'm an analyst at Businesscoot, a start-up specializing in market research. Today, we're going to talk about the shaving market, and to do so, I'm ...

4 Offer analysis

4.1 Razor types

The cabbage cutter

Cabbage cutters, also known as straight razors, are designed for those who appreciate a traditional shave. It is very precise and requires a little training to sharpen it and use it safely. The advantage of the straight razor is its long service life, which can make it extremely ...

4.2 A more qualitative experience

Better-quality blades are a direct result of the gigantic R&D budgets of the major razor companies. Products last longer (***) by offering standard products with less frequent blade quality improvements, thus lowering the average price of its razors. Nevertheless, blades are improving overall.Manufacturers are also trying to personalize their offer ...

4.3 New products, symbols of consumer trends

Introduced in section *.*, these new products respond to consumer demand, whether for a better customer experience, a more eco-responsible, more functional, more practical or more affordable product. (***)   Bamboo: Wilkinson breaks new ground in disposables with a razor featuring an ultra-thin bamboo handle shaped to use as little material as possible. It ...

4.4 Pre- and aftershave products

Shaving preparation products

*. Spray Shaving Gels

Spray shaving gels are appreciated for their ease of application and effectiveness. They are generally composed of moisturizing and protective agents that form a slippery layer on the skin, allowing the razor to move effortlessly while reducing the risk of cuts and irritation.

Reference ...

4.5 Focus on online prices for France's favorite products

Amazon databases allow you to find best-sellers by product category and price. We have listed the prices of products in the "manual shaving" and "electric shavers" categories:

5 Regulations

5.1 Regulations

Compliance with safety standards: Shaving products, including electric and manual shavers, must comply with strict safety standards to avoid the risk of injury. In France, this generally means compliance with European standards (***), which define safety requirements for electrical appliances and shaving accessories.

Regulations on chemical substances: Related shaving products, such as ...

6 Positioning the players

6.1 Positioning the players

The segmentation of companies in the shaver sector is extremely simple: companies are mainly manufacturers of shavers, whether electric or mechanical.

There are very few companies in this market, which is virtually duopolistic for all types of shaver. What's more, brands are often grouped together as subsidiaries of other, larger groups. ...

  • Procter & Gamble
  • BIC Groupe
  • Gillette (Procter & Gamble)
  • Braun (Procter & Gamble)
  • Edgewell Personnal Care Group - Wilkinson
  • Gentleman Barbier
  • Caliquo
  • Art du Barbier
  • Thiers-Issard
  • Planète Rasoir
  • Mühle
  • Plisson 1808
  • Monsieur Barbier
  • Edwin Jagger
  • Big Moustache
  • Rasage Classique

List of charts

  • Trends in the size of the global shaver market
  • Factors influencing shaving and waxing habits in France
  • Number of men using razors in France, by type
  • The most popular beard lengths in France
  • Which shaving tool do you use most?
Show more Hide

All our studies are available online in PDF format

Take a look at an example of our research on another market!

Do you have a question about this study?   +44 238 097 0676

Latest news

Homme Invest aims to establish itself in the men's cosmetics sector - 13/03/2024
  • Growth in the men's cosmetics market is expected to exceed 8% per year over the next few years.
  • The men's cosmetics market is expected to pass the $100 billion mark worldwide by 2031.
  • Shaving products account for over 40% of this market.
  • The "Homme Invest" company offers over 5,000 product references on its "Rasage Classique" online sales site.
  • The site features over 200 brands dedicated to men's grooming.
  • The company has developed a B-to-B activity with "l'Ambassade du Barbier", and boasts over 500 customers in this sector in France, Belgium and Luxembourg.
  • The company generated total sales of 2 million euros.
Bic makes progress with its new shavers - 20/02/2024
  • In 2023, Bic's sales rose by 9.2% at constant exchange rates and by 1.3% as reported, reaching 2.26 billion euros.
  • Despite lower volumes in stationery and lighters, the number of units purchased in the shaving segment increased. 9.5% of Bic sales came from products launched in the last three years.
  • The EZ Reach lighter exceeded the 100 million euro sales threshold and gained 10.7% of the segment by value in European supermarkets in one year.
  • Sales of the lighter rose by 3.3% at constant exchange rates.
  • In France, Bic gained 1.4 points of market share in value in stationery.
Bic recaptures the flame - 16/10/2023
  • The non-permanent tattoo market is expected to triple over the next seven years to 1.5 billion euros.
  • Inkbox sales are in the region of $22 million.
  • Today, tobacco accounts for only half of the global market for firelighters, compared with 60-70% a decade ago.
  • In the United States, tobacco accounts for 28% of the flame market.
  • In Brazil, cooking far outstrips tobacco, with 50% of the flame market, compared with 8% for tobacco.
  • Bic's largest lighter factory produces 3 million units a day, or 50% of the division's worldwide production.
  • Bic has a broader vision for shaving, which generated over 15 million euros in sales in its first year.
  • By 2022, Bic has revised its sales forecasts three times, ending the year up 13.8% at constant exchange rates, to 2.23 billion euros.
Bic reports solid first-half results for 2023 - 31/07/2023
  • Group sales for the first six months of the year: over 1.1 billion euros
  • Stationery sales: 460 million euros (+4.7%)
  • Shaver division sales: 268 million euros (+11.9%)
  • Lighter sales: 434 million euros (-0.9%)
  • Total U.S. lighter market down: 5.6% in volume and 1.4% in value
  • Lighter-related sales growth in Europe: nearly 7.5
  • Share of Group revenues generated by e-commerce: 11.8% (vs. 11.3% in first-half 2022).
Bic back on track - 13/03/2023
  • More than 100 billion Bic tips manufactured since the company's inception
  • Gonzalve, who took the helm of the company in 2018, intends to return it to growth
  • Bic has set up a 230-strong consumer expert division
  • His boss is betting on semi-permanent tattooing with Inkbox, a technique using natural dyes whose designs disappear as the skin's cells renew
Bic benefits from the iron health of its pens - 16/02/2023
  • Bic continued to build on the momentum of 2021, which marked the first fruits of "Horizon", its transformation plan
  • Sales up 13.8% to 2.23 billion euros
  • The Group's strategy to clean up the number of references in its portfolio

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Procter & Gamble
BIC Groupe
Gillette (Procter & Gamble)
Braun (Procter & Gamble)
Edgewell Personnal Care Group - Wilkinson
Gentleman Barbier
Caliquo
Art du Barbier
Thiers-Issard
Planète Rasoir
Mühle
Plisson 1808

Choosing this study means :

Access to more than 35 hours of work

Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.

Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced

Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.

Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.

Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data

Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).

To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)

Guaranteed support after your purchase

A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676

A digital format designed for our users

Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.

Our offers :

the men's razor market | France

89 €
  • What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
  • What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
  • What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
  • Data from several dozen databases

Pack 5 études (-15%) France

75.6 € / study
378 € instead of 445 € -15%
  • 5 études au prix de 75,6€HT par étude à choisir parmi nos 800 titres sur le catalogue France pendant 12 mois
  • Conservez -15% sur les études supplémentaires achetées
  • Choisissez le remboursement des crédits non consommés au terme des 12 mois (durée du pack)

Consultez les conditions du pack et de remboursement des crédits non consommés.

Updates

Our customer references

They have consulted our studies Discover the opinions (+500)

Malcolm Vincent
Linkedin logo

Malcolm Vincent

Astoria Finance

Gregoire de Castelnau
Linkedin logo

Gregoire de Castelnau

Stags Participations

Timothé Huignard
Linkedin logo

Timothé Huignard

PWC

Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff
Linkedin logo

Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff

BCG

Aymeric Granet
Linkedin logo

Aymeric Granet

Publicis Consultant

interviews & case studies All interviews and case studies (45)

La pépite Interview

BFM Business

Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff

Boston Consulting Group

Marie Guibart

Kea Partners

Elaine, Durand

Crédit Agricole, Information & Veille

Philippe Dilasser

Initiative & Finance

Anne Baudry

Metro

Amaury Wernert

Kroll (Duff & Phelps)

Smart Leaders Interview

B-Smart

Do you have a question ?
Our team is at your disposal at   +44 238 097 0676