NEW YORK— The healthy living preferences of today’s consumer has been linked to the personal care and wellness category, especially for segments that promote health tracking, and vendors noted that this has helped raise awareness and drive sales.
Wearable health device manufacturers launched new products with advanced health tracking technologies this year. Consumers are also keeping their personal care habits at home as frugal spending remains a top priority. Personal grooming appliances saw a boost in interest, and male grooming saw a range of product development, with more growth expected in 2018.
Moving & Shaking
• In an effort to reignite growth and return to profitability, Fitbit enacted changes to its senior leadership team. The company promoted vp/engineering, Samir Kapoor, to svp/device engineering. Jeff Devine joined Fitbit as evp/operations, responsible for operations, customer service and overall quality.
Brand News
• Nokia unveiled plans to sharpen its focus on and accelerate growth in the digital health market. The company relaunched the Withings system of connected health products it acquired in 2016 under the Nokia brand, which included connected scales, trackers, blood pressure monitors, thermometers and home cameras. At the same time, Nokia unveiled a redesigned Health Mate application and launched its new patient care platform.
• Panasonic Corporation of North America and Furniture For Life (FFL) entered into a business partnership in which FFL was appointed the exclusive U.S. distributor of Panasonic’s massage chairs.
• Dermaflash, an at-home facial exfoliating device, entered into a new online retail partnership with Ulta Beauty. The company also expanded its brand presence and retail distribution in the U.S., rolling out at Ulta Beauty, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.
• Conair opened a distribution center in Glendale, AZ, that will focus on fulfilling online orders. The new 800,000-square foot distribution center is the third Conair facility in the region, with the company’s two other locations at Glendale Airpark.
• Michael Todd Beauty, which offers sonic beauty tools and skin care products, expanded its retail distribution in an effort to bring its offerings to a new range of consumers.
Product Pipeline
• Nokia expanded its digital health product lineup with the Body, a BMI WiFi connected scale, and Nokia BPM+, a compact blood pressure monitor with a flexible cuff.
• Fitbit introduced its Alta HR fitness tracker with PurePulse heart rate technology, which is said to be a miniaturization of its heart rate tracking technology. Fitbit also unveiled its updated Aria 2 WiFi Smart Scale, which connects to the brand’s app to support the user’s health and fitness goals, and the company’s first smart watch, the Fitbit Ionic.
• Philips expanded its connected oral health care lineup with the launch of its Sonicare DiamondClean Smart connected toothbrush.
• Pretika entered the connected health segment with the launch of its new connected skin care technologies. The roll out covers a range of Pretika’s sonic facial brush technology tools and its micro-current technology devices for wrinkle reduction.
• New Kinpo Group’s HiMirror brand expanded its connected line with the launch of a new skin care analysis tool, HiSkin. The hand-held device provides a 360-degree analysis of a user’s skin condition. HiMirror also added a remote control to its connected mirror lineup.
• Philips Norelco partnered with the “Star Wars” franchise, introducing four new special edition Star Wars inspired shavers to celebrate the release of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”
• Panasonic introduced two new men’s grooming trimmers, the model ER-SB40-K Precision Power beard, mustache and hair trimmer and a cordless electric body trimmer.
• Braun updated its styling portfolio by launching new multi-grooming kits and beard trimmers.
• Wahl launched a variety of new grooming tools, including a complete trimming and haircutting kit and new shavers such as the company’s new Comfort Grip Pro. It also launched a new line of men’s shavers designed for men on the go. The new line of shavers included the LifeProof shaver, Speed shaver and Smart shaver.
• Andis introduced new grooming tools for both men and women, including a heated styling brush and several new clipper kits.
• Spectrum Brands launched new personal care grooming appliances from Remington for women, men and children, including its new T Studio Thermaluxe collection of hair care tools, the Beard Boss Perfecter, a stubble and beard grooming kit, and kids clipper haircut kit.
• Conair launched the InfinitiPro by Conair 3Q hair dryer featuring Heat Protect advanced motor technology, InfinitiPro by Conair Diamond Brilliance Hot Brush and Conair MiniPro Hot straightening brush.
• Clarisonic launched the Smart Profile Uplift. The 2-in-1 skin care tool is said to combine Clarisonic’s cleansing with a new firming massage experience.
• Silk’n introduced several new skin care tools, including its Titan tool, Silk’n Reveal microdermabrasion tool and Silhouette cellulite reduction tool. The company also launched its Flash & Go Jewel hair removal device.
• EpiladyUSA expanded its assortment of epilators with two new hair removal tools. New tools included the Cosmos and Briza. The company also launched the fifth generation of its Esthetic epilator line.
• Taylor Precision Products launched a broad range of new bath scales, including two new Retro Style scales.