According to recent market research from Euromonitor International, official knowledge partner of Beautyworld Middle East, the hair care market in the KSA and UAE combined is expected to be worth a staggering $524.2 million in 2012. This figure is expected to reach $566 million by 2014, making the countries of the Arabian Gulf a key target for international hair care majors.

“Hair care is a quick growing segment in the overall beauty product mix in this region,” says Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, the organizer of Beautyworld Middle East, the largest international trade fair for beauty products, cosmetics and perfumery in the region.

“The harsh climatic conditions that prevail here for most of the year, have led to a boom in sales of products that protect hair from damage and dryness. Traditionally, Middle Eastern consumers are known for their high-spend on hair care products and cosmetics. Beautyworld Middle East provides international brands a vital point of ac-cess to this high-powered market,” Pauwels adds

Hair care is set to outperform all other cosmetics and toiletries sectors in the UAE. The sector is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% (Compound Annual Growth Rate) between the 2008 and 2013 period. Current estimates put the number of hair salons in the UAE in excess of 3,000.

Saudi Arabia is the largest market for hair care products in the GCC, expected to be worth an estimated $428.2 million in 2014, while the UAE is the next largest expected to be worth around $137.8 million by 2014. The other GCC countries of Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman are also significant markets in this sector.

A key growth factor for the industry is expected to be the increase in the population of youth in the region. The countries of the GCC will have some of the fastest growth in populations in the coming years. According to figures released by the Economic Intelligence Unit, the population of the GCC countries is expected to reach 53 million by 2020, with over 25% under the age of 15. An increasing number of young consumers are expected to join the workforce and drive demand for the latest products and services in hair care.

Beautyworld Middle East will run from May 24-26, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center. This year’s edition will have two live demo areas dedicated to hair care. In addition, and for the first time at Beautyworld Middle East, Salon Educators and MyHairDressers.com in association with L’Oreal Profes-sional, will be presenting three complete days of free Hair Education, headed up by Steve Turner, artistic director for the Salon Educators.