Handkerchief Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material Type (Cotton, Silk, Others), By End-User (Men, Women, Kids), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline) And Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global handkerchief market is expected to witness considerable market growth opportunities during 2021-2028. People commonly use handkerchiefs for their hygiene purposes and as decorative wearables during the wedding and festive events. Such products are available in different sizes and colors in the market.

Nowadays, prominent manufacturers such as Libeco Company, Zodiac Clothing Company Ltd., The Dapper Man Limited, and others produce eco-friendly designer handkerchiefs of different sizes to attract a broader consumer base.  For instance, The Dapper Man Limited's cotton handkerchiefs come in a set of six pieces. The eco-friendly hankies launched consist of sharp-looking patterns and colors and are wrinkle-free.

Increasing consumer awareness regarding hygiene & cleanliness is likely to drive the market growth. Handkerchiefs can be used for cleansing dirt and wiping sweat from the face and body and can also be used for drying the hands before and after meals. This will lead to considerable demand from the individuals who prefer to maintain freshness and hygiene, which will surge the product demand and induce market growth. 

Restaurants & hotels essentially use handkerchiefs to maintain their nearby environment hygienically and infection-free. Therefore, the rising number of restaurants & hotel chains is expected to accelerate the consumer demand for such products. According to the National Restaurant Association report, more than 1 million restaurants will be in the US in 2020.

Besides, handkerchiefs are widely used by people as gift-giving items during birthdays and formal occasions. Therefore, evolving gift-giving trend among the worldwide population is likely to offer newer market growth opportunities.  

Nowadays, to avoid coronavirus infection and maintain nearly environment infection-free, people use personal hygiene products. This will skyrocket the consumer demand for the handkerchiefs.   According to the published data from Economic Times in March 2021, the sales of personal hygiene items witnessed a robust growth as Origami, disposable products maker, witnessed a 30 % online sales growth in 2020. The increasing awareness towards disposable hygiene and personal care products like napkins, tissues, towels, and other personal hygiene products have primarily stimulated the sales growth of Origami.

However, incidences of skin rashes due to low-quality fabric-based handkerchiefs are negatively impacting the market growth. Additionally,  the trade barriers and disruptions in the supply chain can hinder the product demand.

Key Players Covered:

Procter & Gamble Company, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Hengan Group, WEPA Group, Vinda International Holdings Limited,  Svenska Cellulosa AB, C&S Paper Co., Sofidel Group, Georgia-Pacific LLC, and Kruger Inc. are prominent players operating in the market.

The global handkerchief market is segmented based on material type, end-user, distribution channel, and geography.

Based on material type, the market is segmented into cotton, silk, and others. The silk segment is expected to hold the dominant market share owing to the durability, lightweight, and softness of silk-based handkerchiefs over other material types. Additionally, silk-based products are highly efficient in absorbing sweat & moisture from the individuals' skin over other material types. Such a factor is significantly supporting the revenue generation from such a segment. Besides, increasing consumer demand for silk-based handkerchiefs during formal events and festivals further fuels the segment growth.

Based on end-user, the market is segmented into men, women, and kids. The women segment is expected to lead the market due to the extensive consumer demand for handkerchiefs and napkins for their hygiene and cleanliness. For example, in the U.S., HankyBooks is offering luxurious, organic cotton-based hankies for women. The brand was inspired to divert the interest towards non-disposable culture. The re-usable handkerchief and other apparel can be cherished and used for a longer time, creating growth opportunities for the segment.  Additionally, increasing women's consumer demand for custom-made handkerchiefs is further supporting the segmental growth.

Based on distribution channels, the market is segmented offline and online. The Offline store segment holds a major share as users can easily purchase the products by visiting the stores and can make an instant buying decision as and when required. These offline stores are growing in numbers across the towns and cities, which results in considerable product demand from such retail establishments.  Also, customers can make an effective purchase decision by comparing the products in terms of price and other features, which will help the offline retail shops and apparel stores generate required product revenues. Additionally, discount policies and other pricing offers are likely to uplift product sales, driving the market growth.

Regional Analysis:

By geography, the global handkerchief market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

The robust presence of prominent companies such as Blooming Nakanishi, Motta Handkerchiefs, and Kamawanu in South Korea, China, and India

is expected to result in the Asia Pacific region holding a dominant global market share during 2021-28. Additionally, large imports of textile items in Japan are supporting the Japanese market growth.

According to an instance from the Textile Magazine in May 2021, Japan is the third-largest importer of Textile & Apparel (T&A) globally, with an import value of USD 37.14 billion in 2019.

Besides, the growing popularity of western-style cotton & silk-based hankies among the Japanese is likely to offer newer market growth opportunities in the region.

The North American region is expected to witness considerable market growth opportunities during 2021-28.

People widely use handkerchiefs as decorative apparel in fashion & festive events. Therefore, evolving fashion trends among the American population are supporting the region's market growth.

Nowadays, manufacturers are introducing custom-tailored handkerchiefs to fulfill customized apparels demand among the US and Canadians. This will offer newer market growth opportunities in the region.  For instance, in July 2021, Jushi Holdings Inc., a US-based national and multi-state cannabis company, partnered with Colin Hanks to bring 'Hanks Kerchiefs' a line of handkerchief items in the select BEYOND / HELLO™ retail stores.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments:

• For instance, the customed-tailored handkerchief ‘Gapet’ was introduced by Adi Banne  Kebang Women Wing (ABKWW), an Arunachal-based women group, to revive traditional attire. The launch was made in April 2021 in a formal meeting held in Roing, Arunachal Pradesh, India.


• In January 2020, Cartiere Carrara, a leading producer of tissue products in Europe, acquired Carind S.R.L and CRC S.R.L, manufacturers of the sanitary products such as hand towels, napkins & toilet paper for its brand expansion and globalization purposes