Hair care leads way in organic product sales

Natural hair care has emerged as leading the growth in natural and organic personal care product sales, making up 5% of total hare care product revenues.

The natural and organic personal care has grown by almost 30% since 2012, according to research carried out by Research and Markets.

The report shows that the growth is driven by consumers' concerns about the use of synthetic chemicals in cosmetics and toiletries, perceiving that natural and organic products offer lower risks to health. The market's embrace of this sector is also driving sales, with headway being made in conventional retail channels including department stores and high street retailers. However, the highest rate of sale is still within health food shops and organic food retailers.

Research also showed that around a third of all natural and organic personal care products are now certified, with the Soil Association and COSMOS standard being the most popular, and a number of products carrying labeling featuring the Vegan Society and Fairtrade Foundation branding.

A word of caution is offered, however, that the depreciation of Sterling in the foreign exchange is increasing product prices, whilst the uncertain political and economic climate attributed in part of the Brexit vote, is leading to caution amongst retailers when introducing or expanding natural and organic product ranges.