Development history and future trends of the Chinese sanitary napkin market

The development of the Chinese sanitary napkin market is a history of starting from a difficult beginning and thriving. Since the introduction of modern sanitary napkins to China in the 1980s, they have become an indispensable hygiene product in women's lives. The changes in this industry not only witness the progress of the times, but also reflect the awakening of women's health awareness and the improvement of their consumption ability.

Development process: from inception to popularization

Before the 1980s, Chinese women commonly used traditional sanitary belts to cope with their menstrual period by placing toilet paper or wood ash on a tied cotton cloth. The inefficiency and inconvenience of this method make the introduction of modern sanitary napkins an urgent need. In 1982, China introduced its first sanitary napkin production line from Japan, marking the official entry of disposable menstrual products. In the following 1990s, with the rise of local brands such as Heng'an Group and the influx of foreign brands such as Husubao and Sophie, the Chinese sanitary napkin market ushered in a period of rapid growth. The consumption has surged from 2 billion pieces to 30 billion pieces, and the popularity rate of sanitary napkins has rapidly exceeded half.

Entering the 21st century, the Chinese sanitary napkin market has entered a new stage of continuous renovation in terms of functionality and design. The increasing demand for comfort, water absorption, and safety of sanitary napkins by women has driven continuous innovation in products. According to statistics, the coverage rate of sanitary napkins in China reached 96.5% in 2016, which is on par with developed countries such as the United States. Since then, the market size has continued to expand, reaching 99.1 billion yuan by 2022, a year-on-year increase of 2.4%.

Market Status: Diversified Competitive Landscape

Currently, the Chinese sanitary napkin market presents a diversified competitive landscape. Foreign brands such as Husubao, Sophie, and Gaojiesi have gained a foothold in the high-end market with advanced technology and rich marketing experience. Local brands such as Seven Degrees Space and ABC gradually occupy important positions in the market through product innovation and marketing promotion. Yiwu Haglebo Daily Necessities is located in Zone 4 of Yiwu International Trade City, China, and actively participates in it, providing the market with more diversified product choices.

With the intensification of market competition, the trend of product segmentation is becoming increasingly evident. In addition to traditional sheet-like sanitary napkins, emerging products such as pads and tampons are also gradually gaining popularity among consumers. Especially sanitary tampons, although currently having a small market share, their comfort and convenience make them have great potential for development.

Future Trends: High end, Functionality, and Personalization

Looking ahead, the Chinese sanitary napkin market will continue to maintain a growth trend, and the market size is expected to further expand. Firstly, female consumers' demands for the quality, comfort, and environmental friendliness of sanitary napkins will continue to increase, driving the market towards high-end development. The mid to high end sanitary napkin market will rapidly develop and become the main driving force for market growth.

Secondly, further segmentation of product functions will be an important trend in the future. With the increasing demand for functional diversity in sanitary napkins among women, there will be more products with special functions in the market, such as antibacterial and anti allergic properties. These products will better meet the needs of women in different situations and physiological conditions.

Finally, personalized customization will become a new highlight in the market. With the change of women's consumption concept and the development of Internet technology, consumers pay more and more attention to personalized expression. Sanitary napkin brands will launch products that are more in line with personal preferences through interaction and data analysis with consumers, enhancing their user experience and satisfaction.

In summary, the development process of China's sanitary napkin market is full of challenges and opportunities. In the future, with the improvement of women's health awareness and consumption ability, the market will continue to grow and show a trend of diversification, high-end, functionalization, and personalization. Yiwu Haglebo Daily Necessities and other enterprises will play an important role in this transformation, injecting new vitality and innovation into the market.