Shave

Unilever’s $1 billion purchase of Dollar Shave Club was an eye-opening deal. While Unilever has been on a buying spree, snapping up companies such as REN, Kate Somerville, Dermalogica and Murad — all premium skin care brands — the deal with Dollar Shave represented growth in a different market. Now the industry awaits Unilever’s next move.

(To view the full Shave Report, click here.)

The shave category is trying to get its groove back. With the exception of razors, where sales are up a healthy 10.6% for the 52-week period ended Sept. 4, 2016, as tracked by IRI across multi-outlets, all of the other categories in shave are down.

(To view the full Shave Report, click here.)

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. -- Red-hot retailer Ulta Beauty raised its guidance Thursday ahead of planned remarks at an investor conference in Chicago, where the company also discussed plans to accelerate store expansion.

Facing the facts, men’s shave sales are down because more men are opting for facial hair. But Jennifer Delaney, marketing director at Beiersdorf’s NIVEA, shared ideas to get the business back on track with DSN.

DSN: What are the biggest challenges your company faces in the shaving marketplace, and how are you handling them?

There have been dramatic changes in the shaving category. DSN talked with Ray Larney, VP, U.S. retail sales of Philips Consumer Lifestyle, to see how the company is focusing its approach for the new marketplace.

Men are taking better care of themselves and buying more personal care products. Matthew McCarthy, senior director men’s personal care at Unilever, tells DSN how to meet these new needs.

DSN: How has the men’s personal care category grown and innovated this year?

Michael Law, senior director, customer strategy and planning at Edgewell Personal Care, tells DSN how retailers can compete with the growth of online shave clubs.

DSN: What are the biggest challenges your company faces in the shaving marketplace, and how are you handling them?

TRINITY, Fla. -- Online shaving company BladeButter is launching two new offerings that aim to further disrupt the personal care category.

According to the company, ShaveJelly is a safer, gentler alternative to typical shaving creams and gels. DragonsEdge is a line of 4- and 6-blade razors that are built with quality and durability in mind. Moreover, BladeButter continues to make its products more affordable than competitors.