Shaving Razor Blades in the United States
There are two main types of razor blades commonly found on the market: safety razor blades and straight razor blades. Safety razor blades are the most common type, with cutting edges on both sides that can both be used to cut hair. Straight razor blades are similar to safety razor blades in appearance but are mainly used for shaving by professional barbers.
As a populous country with 300 million people, the scale of the razor blade market in the United States is estimated to be approximately $4.5 billion in 2023. In recent years, personal care awareness has increased significantly, promoting the continuous growth of the razor blade market scale.
The History of Shaving Razor Blades in the United States
In the late 19th century, straight razors were commonly used, which were very dangerous and easy to cut the skin as this type of razor was very sharp. In 1895, Gillette founder King C. Gillette invented the world’s first safety razor, which made shaving safer, more convenient and hygienic. Early razor blades were made of carbon steel and were expensive and prone to rusting.
In 1921, Gillette Company launched double-edged razor blades, which improved shaving efficiency compared to single-edged blades. With the application of stainless steel materials, razor blades became more durable and affordable.
The Market of Shaving Razor Blades in the United States
To meet the different needs of consumers, businesses continue to launch new products, and brands continue to emerge. The US razor blade market competition is fierce. Based on factors such as brand awareness, product quality, price and marketing promotion, the market research firm Euromonitor International concluded the following market share of major US razor blade brands in 2023:
| Brand | Market Share |
|---|---|
| Gillette | 54% |
| Schick | 28% |
| Wilkinson Sword | 9% |
| Others | 9% |
Brand Pricing Strategies
These brands adopt different pricing strategies based on factors such as brand awareness, product quality, market competition and target consumers. The most common pricing strategy is cost-plus pricing; while high-end brands will price according to product value and consumer perception. At the same time, each brand will also refer to pricing of competitors and adopt following or differentiated strategies.
Searching for “safety razor blades” on e-commerce platforms, you can find different brands of blades at different price points, which provides consumers with more choices.
US Government Regulation
The market can only develop in an orderly and healthy way under government supervision. Regarding the safety standards for razor blades, relevant US laws have the following provisions:
-
Razor blades must meet the safety and effectiveness requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has specific regulations for the sharpness, durability, and corrosion resistance of razor blades. The sharpness of razor blades must effectively remove facial hair without causing skin damage; durability should reach the standard of remaining sharp after a certain number of uses; blades must not rust within a certain period of time.
-
Razor blades must be labeled and instructed clearly and accurately, including product name, material, use instructions and precautions.
-
Advertising and promotion of razor blades shall not mislead or mislead consumers.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for safety supervision of consumer products such as razor blades. In 2019, Gillette Company was warned by the FDA for false advertising issues; in 2020, CPSC recalled millions of razor blades that did not meet safety standards.
Import and Export of Razor Blades
The United States has a mature razor blade manufacturing industry and imposes certain tariffs on imported razor blades, making domestic production costs lower. According to data from the US Customs and Border Protection, the total value of razor blades imported into the United States in 2023 is estimated to be approximately $1 billion, accounting for only 22% of the US razor blade market scale.
| Import Source Country | Import Volume 2022 (kg) | Import Value 2022 (Billion USD) | Percentage of Total Import Value 2022 | Percentage of Total Import Value 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 120,000 | 20 | 80% | 85% |
| Vietnam | 10,000 | 2 | 7% | 9% |
| India | 5,000 | 1 | 3% | 4% |
| Mexico | 2,000 | 0.5 | 1% | 2% |
| Others | 5,000 | 1 | 3% | 4% |
China is the main country of origin for razor blade imports to the United States. In 2022, the value of razor blades imported from China to the United States was approximately $2 billion, accounting for 85% of the total US import value.
Trends in the Future Development of the Razor Blade Market
Innovation in Blade Materials and Functions
Common razor blade materials include stainless steel and carbon steel. Razor blades made of different grades of stainless steel and carbon steel have some performance differences, and brands need to select materials that match their brand attributes and target customer needs. Enhancing blade quality stability through the use of quality materials to reduce losses is one direction for industry development.
Personalization
Some brands have begun to offer customization services that allow consumers to customize razor blades according to their preferences and needs, such as choosing the sharpness and printing custom logos.
Sustainable Packaging and Recycling
With increasing consumer environmental awareness, the problems of traditional plastic packaging being difficult to recycle and causing environmental pollution are recognized. Sustainable packaging boxes will become a development trend in the razor blade industry. Sustainable packaging materials include recycled plastic and biodegradable plastic. In addition, major brands are also actively exploring sustainable packaging solutions. In 2022, Gillette launched the “Razor Refill Program” recycling project to reduce waste from razor blade packaging boxes. The project encourages consumers to return used blades and packaging to Gillette for recycling and utilization of these materials.
How US Brands Can Find Reliable Manufacturers and Suppliers
The international situation and changes in the razor blade market are shifting rapidly. Sellers need to keep abreast of industry dynamics to make timely adjustments.
Brands need to clarify their requirements such as blade material, expected price, delivery time and required services. With these requirements clear, the following channels can be used to find razor blade manufacturers and suppliers:
-
Search engines. Information can be collected through search engines like Google or Bing using different keyword combinations according to requirements, such as “razor blade manufacturer”, “China razor blade manufacturer”, “US razor blade supplier”, etc.
-
Industry websites. Visiting relevant industry websites such as The American Bladesmith Society, Inc. (ABS). These sites often contain information and customer reviews of razor blade manufacturers to help evaluate them.
-
Trade exhibitions. International trade exhibitions are a great opportunity to expand knowledge. Exhibitions usually bring together many capable manufacturers and suppliers where products can be seen directly and conversations had to better understand their services.
-
Consulting industry insiders. Experts in the razor blade industry have rich experience and knowledge to help avoid pitfalls and identify the best options.
It’s important to use multiple sources of information for cross-validation to improve accuracy and effectiveness, rather than relying on just one.
With sufficient information collected, preliminary screening can be done by scoring potential manufacturers and suppliers against standards to shortlist qualified ones that meet requirements. Site visits can then provide a better understanding of production facilities and quality control systems before finalizing a supplier.
Xirui Blade Manufacturing Factory
Xirui is a factory with 20 years of experience in razor blade production and manufacturing. With an area of 66,666 square meters and over 350 employees, it has obtained ISO9001, GMPC, ISO22716, BSCI and other certification. We have rich custom production experience, complete production equipment and professional technical personnel to provide one-stop custom razor blade production services.
Xirui strictly controls blade quality management. Each process in razor blade manufacturing such as design, packaging design, mold making, material selection, stamping, heat treatment, plating, testing and packaging has dedicated personnel for quality control, improving both quality and production efficiency. The current monthly blade production capacity reaches 300 million pieces.
If you have any needs for custom razor blade production, please contact us at any time.
