The demand for hand sanitizers soared at the global level due to the new coronavirus pandemic. The retailers are rationing their supplies due to high market demand, while the online retailers have hiked their product price.
Since, the global outbreak of the COVID-19 in January this year, the health experts strongly recommended safe health and hygiene practices to prevent the spreading of the infection and reducing the burden on the healthcare workers and doctors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended handwashing with soap and water whenever possible. Also, in the case of non-availability of soap and water, alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% of alcohol are suggested. The use of hand sanitizer is helpful in prevention from getting sick and spreading germs to other individuals. Hence, with significant efforts by the big health organizations introducing the health benefits of hand sanitizers are further providing animpetus in burgeoning theglobal hand sanitizer market growth.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are capable of quick reduction of microbes on hands in some situations, but these are unable to eliminate germs of all types. Talking in terms of the effectiveness of the alcohol-based hand sanitizers, many studies have shown that hand sanitizers are quite effective in their performance in the clinical settings such as hospitals where the hands come in contact with germs but are not oily or greasy or heavily soiled.
On the other hand, some studies proved that hand sanitizers may perform well against specific germs in the case of slightly soiled hands. But in the case of heavily soiled, greasy, and oily hands, these sanitizers are not able to perform well. Hence, it is suggested that under such circumstances, the hands are washed with soap and water before using a hand sanitizer.
The hand sanitizer sales in the United Kingdom experienced year-on-year growth,the sales surged by over 200% in February 2020. Keeping in view the high demand for hand sanitizers, vendors are implementing a certain limit in per capita purchase of sanitizers. For example, one of the vendors,Boots, a subsidiary of Walgreens enforced a limit of a maximum oftwo hand sanitizers per purchase. Walgreens Boots Alliance is aimed at helping people around the globe as the largest retail pharmacy across the United States and Europe. The alliance is a global leader in retail and wholesale pharmacy.
Social distancing, also known as physical distancing is one of the measures taken for slowing the spread of the virus which includes the deadly coronavirus. According to the Australian Government, Department of Health, "the more space between you and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread".In order to practice social distancing, the Government of Australia laid certain measures to be followed in public, households, work, schools and keeping touch with others while maintaining physical distancing. For example, in public, social distancing means, to stay at home and only go out if it is absolutely necessary, keep 1.5 meters away from others, avoid physical greetings such as handshaking, hugs, and kisses, use tap and go instead of cash, travel at quiet times and avoid crowds, avoid public gatherings and at-risk groups like older people, and practice good hygiene. In the office environment, it is recommended to provide alcohol-based hand rub to all the staff members.In other parts of the world too, people at their workplaces are following the trend of utilizing hand sanitizers, thus, fueling the market growth.
However, it has been noticed that in many countries across the world, government has ordered a compulsory complete lockdown. In places like the United States apart from work-from-home initiatives by the companies based in the region and localized lockdown, people are themselves choosing to self-quarantine themselves. This will however not affect the market growth due to the high market demand and its utilization by people as an essential measure for maintaining hygiene in their home environment. Also, in case of essential services such as grocery shopping or medicine purchase, people are keeping portable hand sanitizers to avoid infection. In future, the market for hand sanitizers will continue to surge due to the benefitsit provides for combating viruses and bacteria and helping in keeping an individual safe from infections.
Furthermore, with the growing health awareness among the people worldwide,the market for hand sanitizers will hold a significant market share among the other healthcare and pharmacy products.
Given the growing shift towards the utilization of organic products, the sales of organic hand sanitizers are gearing to bolster the market growth. However, according to the current pandemic scenario, the demand for hand sanitizers(including organic hand sanitizers) is exceeding the supply, but this may not last long once the situation is under control.The presence of companies manufacturing organic hand sanitizers is propelling market growth. For example, Dr. Bronner's, an American soap company producing organic soaps and other natural personal care productsis also involved in the production of organic hand sanitizer that kills germs using a simple formula including organic ethyl alcohol, water, organic lavender oil, and organic glycerine. The product is claimed to be as effective as the conventional hand sanitizer and that too with all the natural ingredients. This is recommended by the company to be safe for use on babies who are very sensitive and prone to allergic reactions caused by synthetic chemicals. It is also recommended for use on face in addition to hands, which customers usually avoid in the case of chemical handsanitizers. Also, this can be used as an air freshener or a deodorant, hence, offering multiple-use benefits, an all-in-one versatile product.
The growing trend of the adoption of biodegradable eco-friendly products is projected to propagate the market demand. For example, Bentley Organic, based in the United Kingdom, is continuing to grow and offering a range of organic products which include body care, hair care, baby care, and various household cleaning products. An amalgamation of expertise with innovation, the company produces a range of Soil Association certified organic products for all its customers. The company's Organic Hand Sanitizer is proven to kill 99.9% germs which include E. Coli and Listeria. The sanitizer is free from alcohol and harmful chemicals and thus won't dry hands. Also, it is biodegradable and environment-friendly. The ingredients contain aqua (water), lauryl betaine, glycerine, Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera), leaf juice powder (certified organically grown ingredient), citrus AurantiumAmara (bitter orange) peel extract, lactic acid, and potassium sorbate. The product is free from paraben, SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate), SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate), alcohol, phenoxyethanol, synthetic colour, synthetic fragrance. A completely vegetarian and a vegan product. Apart from imparting medicinal value, the product is cosmetic in nature as well, this is because of the fact that on the application of hand sanitizer, it does not leave hands dry.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Vibha Saklani is a Market Research Analyst at KSI, working on the estimates and global reports on multiple industries spanning from IoT to food and beverages, with a special knack for healthcare, medical devices, and related markets. With the addition of her formal education in Biotechnology and having a research background, she is ableto shed more light on the detailed analysis of the story.
