Analyzing The Wet Shaving Market in 2023

I was looking at an old thread titled "Analyzing The Wet Shaving Market in 2019" and wondered if anyone would be interested in analyzing and discussing the state of wet shaving in 2023?  Here's the 2019 iteration - there was some pretty good discussion in there.

https://damnfineshave.com/thread-analyzi...et-in-2019

Sounds interesting to me. I started looking into the market last year with some data from relevant public traded companies and or existing market analysis. It was tough to get a lot of detail or granularity.

I fear that it is going to be a rough year for the vendors and producers in the wet shaving space. I have communicated with one artisan who is fearful, but so far things are OK.
The consumer confidence index in the States declined in January. Generally, when that happens, consumers are reluctant to purchase goods that are intended to last a long time. That includes things like automobiles, appliances, computers, and electronics. They also tend to cut back on potentially avoidable expenses like restaurant meals, vacation trips, and luxury goods. Razors and brushes last many years, so purchases can typically be delayed a while. Higher priced shaving soaps and aftershaves would fall into the luxury category. Retail store closings and tech sector layoffs do not bode well for the overall economy. However, traditional wet shavers seem to be dedicated to their hobby. They might cut back in other areas so they can continue purchasing their favorite shaving items.

Over the past few years, artisan soapmakers have worked hard to improve the quality of their offerings. They have succeeded admirably. It seems that many artisans have slowed down or stopped the pursuit of new formulations. Thus, there should be more stability this year.

Theres no doubt that it is difficult to get hard data as most artisans and vendors are not publicly traded entities and therefore wouldn't make financial and marketing data publicly available but thats ok because thats not the point of this thread and that information is confidential and really none of our business.  I think the best way to get a feel for the market and future prospects for wet shaving are to engage with actual artisans and vendors on forums such as DFS - its equally useful if members who are enthusiasts and not artisans/vendors would post their experiences, likes and dislikes and their own future plans as to things they may be interested in purchasing or tired of as that sort of information can help the artisans and vendors as well.  I'm going to tag some artisans and vendors to see if they have an inclination to talk - one of the most interesting aspects of the 2019 thread was the involvement of artisans in the discussion.  It's always enlightening to hear the perspectives of people on the front lines.

Would you be interested in sharing your thoughts Dragonsbeard  Barrister_N_Mann  Macduffs_Soap_Co  Blackland Razors  AylsworthRazors  razorock  Ryan @ Tallow + Steel  dominicr  CaD314  ?

I realize that the above group of individuals is a scattergun approach to discussing 2023 prospects but I'm hoping that we can at least some interesting and informative discussion going and the more the merrier.  I think it might also be a good idea to involve wet shavers who are active in social media like Dave in KY  as I'm sure there would be a lot of interesting things they might have to say on the subject.  Feel free to tag anyone else that you think would interested in this discussion and might have something to say.

Thanks

Theres no doubt that it is difficult to get hard data as most artisans and vendors are not publicly traded entities and therefore wouldn't make financial and marketing data publicly available but thats ok because thats not the point of this thread and that information is confidential and really none of our business.  I think the best way to get a feel for the market and future prospects for wet shaving are to engage with actual artisans and vendors on forums such as DFS - its equally useful if members who are enthusiasts and not artisans/vendors would post their experiences, likes and dislikes and their own future plans as to things they may be interested in purchasing or tired of as that sort of information can help the artisans and vendors as well.  I'm going to tag some artisans and vendors to see if they have an inclination to talk - one of the most interesting aspects of the 2019 thread was the involvement of artisans in the discussion.  It's always enlightening to hear the perspectives of people on the front lines.

Would you be interested in sharing your thoughts Dragonsbeard  Barrister_N_Mann  Macduffs_Soap_Co  Blackland Razors  AylsworthRazors  razorock  Ryan @ Tallow + Steel  dominicr  CaD314  ?

I realize that the above group of individuals is a scattergun approach to discussing 2023 prospects but I'm hoping that we can at least some interesting and informative discussion going and the more the merrier.  I think it might also be a good idea to involve wet shavers who are active in social media like Dave in KY  as I'm sure there would be a lot of interesting things they might have to say on the subject.  Feel free to tag anyone else that you think would interested in this discussion and might have something to say.

Thanks

Don't we have Jason from The Razor Company on here, too? I know Frank has a good connection with him. I'd be interested in how he's doing, as a company which, in many ways, appears to have grown rather quickly. Not a manufacturer, but a retailer perspective. Also, in that 'recent' frame of mind - Paul Stubble Daddy . His business basically started and took off during COVID.

Also, I know gwsmallwood has a long social presence, as well as connections with some vendors. He might have some insight, if I can put him on the hotseat. Lol.

Interesting topic!





Also,

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Theres no doubt that it is difficult to get hard data as most artisans and vendors are not publicly traded entities and therefore wouldn't make financial and marketing data publicly available but thats ok because thats not the point of this thread and that information is confidential and really none of our business.  I think the best way to get a feel for the market and future prospects for wet shaving are to engage with actual artisans and vendors on forums such as DFS - its equally useful if members who are enthusiasts and not artisans/vendors would post their experiences, likes and dislikes and their own future plans as to things they may be interested in purchasing or tired of as that sort of information can help the artisans and vendors as well.  I'm going to tag some artisans and vendors to see if they have an inclination to talk - one of the most interesting aspects of the 2019 thread was the involvement of artisans in the discussion.  It's always enlightening to hear the perspectives of people on the front lines.

Would you be interested in sharing your thoughts Dragonsbeard  Barrister_N_Mann  Macduffs_Soap_Co  Blackland Razors  AylsworthRazors  razorock  Ryan @ Tallow + Steel  dominicr  CaD314  ?

I realize that the above group of individuals is a scattergun approach to discussing 2023 prospects but I'm hoping that we can at least some interesting and informative discussion going and the more the merrier.  I think it might also be a good idea to involve wet shavers who are active in social media like Dave in KY  as I'm sure there would be a lot of interesting things they might have to say on the subject.  Feel free to tag anyone else that you think would interested in this discussion and might have something to say.

Thanks

You give me too much credit for being thoughtful Marko ......... I don't do Social Media as many on YouTube do to grow their channels as well as buying subscribers and viewers (Computer bots basically) but that's another subject all together. I simply shoot a video and post it without any editing or fanfare. I also don't do any of the typical faceinstatwit stuff. I agree with thoughts expressed by RayClem already. It's going to be a tough year for vendors. People's purse strings are tightened with cost of living/inflaton. And new vendors seem to come out of the woodwork overnight. You can't keep adding sellers and shrink buyers and not expect there to be companies deciding it ain't worth fighting for their ever dwindling piece of the pie. I myself am practicing a restraint on purchases this year, not due to the economy but just wanting to use what's been accumulated for years now and already narrowed down to what I enjoy best. I hope to not buy this year at all but if I should falter I can say that it will not be with the unrestrained way I had made purchases in the past but more mindful purchases and much less. In reality, I need nothing. I already see as I try to sell some things simply to reduce my den size in some categories that the BST has slowed in my view. People sit waiting for you to lower your price and lower it again until it isn't worth even selling it. I worked hard for and paid good money for most of my items and eventually you get to a point pricewise where I'd rather gift it to friends I have locally or just hold onto it and let it sit. I don't know what else to add but thanks for thinking of me and I'll follow the discussion here.

Would you be interested in sharing your thoughts  Blackland Razors 

Sure. What would you like to know?

TheShaveSupply chime in too, bud!

Would you be interested in sharing your thoughts  Blackland Razors 

Sure. What would you like to know?

Pretty much whatever is on people's minds regarding wet shaving markets in 2023 based on historical experience and trends.  While theres no doubt that things might be tighter given inflation etc I dont think it would be a long nor interesting dialogue to just focus on things will be tough.  Your perspective as a premium razor maker is bound to be interesting.  Do you see yourself expanding your lineup?  Focussing your lineup?  What materials/metals might be coming in or going out.  SE vs DE.  I see some razor makers (Wolfman) have expanded into brushes.  Is that something we might see more of.  What trends do you like or dont like?  You know, all that kind of stuff.  If you scan the 2019 thread I linked above it will give you an idea of what people talked about - I had a really good discussion with Shawn Maher about the direction he was going in (towards perfumery and away from shaving)  and why.  It was pretty candid.  There are reasons why some artisans have been around longer than others - yeah it could be as simple as "making stuff people want to buy" but I think there is more going on with successful artisans and vendors than just that.  I think the vendor space is tough.  You have to compete on price, shipping and service.  Every transaction is an opportunity to piss somebody off.  I think most customers are reasonable but only takes one to ruin your day.  

I can go on but I'm hoping things take off and lots of members including our Merchant members artisans and vendors chime in and this thread can provide useful, interesting and even entertaining information for everyone.

I figured I'd post links to some Sharpologist's "best" lists* - his views do not necessarily reflect my views.  I've always felt that his bests are a few years behind what's really going on in the market.  His razor list includes razors I've not tried and in some cases never even heard of and his soap list, while no disrespect to Proraso, I certainly wouldn't have it on a list of best shave soaps of 2023.  

https://sharpologist.com/best-de-safety-razor/

https://sharpologist.com/best-shave-soap/

*I'm only doing this because thats how the 2019 market analysis kicked off.