Throwback Hair Accessories Making a Comeback

Claw clips, also known as jaw clips, have been around for decades and have recently made a comeback in the fashion world. From celebrities to everyday people, claw clips have become a popular choice for keeping hair in place and adding a touch of style to any outfit.

But what makes claw clips so appealing and why are they experiencing a resurgence in popularity? One reason is the versatility they offer. Unlike traditional hair ties, claw clips can be used to secure a variety of hairstyles, from updos to half-up half-down looks, and everything in between. Additionally, they come in a range of sizes and designs, making them suitable for all hair types and ages.

Google and Pinterest search volumes show that popularity for claw clips continues to rise into 2023, similar to other retro hair accessories like trademarked spiral hair ties and scrunchies that are bringing in millions in revenue for leading brands.

Interestingly enough, Claw Clips are most popular in New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore and the United States follows closely behind. If you’re already selling - look at expanding into these growing international markets.

 

Source: Google Trends. Keyword: Claw Clips | Location: Worldwide

Amazon searches are up over 300% and we’ve found this 4-pack that generates $446k/mo in sales. Yup, seriously - the bucket of opportunity here is huge!

What you can capitalise on:

1. Already selling? Look at launching or expanding your distribution specifically into the growing markets of the US and Singapore.

2. Analyze reviews of leading sellers. We pulled the 3-star reviews of the above company selling on Amazon and found a few common themes you can improve on - and also talk about in your marketing.

Love the product but….

• Wish the paint didn’t peel so easily
• Wish the teeth and spring were more durable - they feel flimsy and cheap
• Wish the clip was wider to handle truly luscious and thick locks
  
  

3. Look at broadening to the Men's market. While most claw clip products are geared towards women, there is a growing market of men with long hair who would be interested in a product specifically designed for them.

The subreddit r/FierceFlow, which caters to men with long hair, has seen significant growth in its subscriber base, with over  190k  subscribers, and it has more than doubled in size since the start of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

4. Style Advice - search interest is up for claw clip-related style advice.

One way to take capitalise on this growing style advice market is by creating content, such as style guides, TikTok and YouTube videos, etc to attract potential customers and promote other hair-related products.

A few other business ideas you might want to nab:

1. E-commerce website - start an online, Etsy or Amazon store to sell claw clips in every design and colour under the rainbow. Start quickly by looking for wholesalers in the Second Edit Marketplace to buy locally and in small quantities.
   
   
2. Wholesale - Connect with hair accessory partners to offer claw clips to salons and boutique retail stores.
   
   
3. Customisation - Design custom claw clips for events like weddings and proms, cute quotes or names.
   
   
4. Subscription box service - Create a monthly subscription box that delivers a variety of claw clips and hair accessories straight to customers' doors.
   
   
5. DIY tutorials - Teach people how to style their hair with claw clips and sell the clips as part of the package.
   
   

What are your customers searching for?

Get a head start with these key search terms that customers are using when shopping for claw clips - and also a few business idea prompts include:

• "claw clip"
• "hair claw"
• "large hair claw"
• "hair claw clip"
• "claw clip hair accessory"
• "claw hair clip"
• "claw barrette"
• "hair claw barrette"
• "claw clip for thick hair"
• "claw clip for long hair"
• "claw clip set"
• "claw clip for updo hairstyles"
• "claw clip with teeth"
• "claw clip for curls"
• "claw clip for natural hair"
• "claw clip for fine hair"
• "claw clip for extensions"
• "claw clip for wigs"
• "claw clip for hair loss"

Creating a point of difference. 

Already selling, or want to up your game once you start? Steal these ideas to improve your claw clip business and create a strong point of difference:

1. Specialise in a specific niche - For example, you could focus on claw clips for curly hair, natural hair, hair loss, or extensions.

2. Offer unique designs - Create your own designs or collaborate with artists or designers to offer claw clips that stand out from the competition.

3. Personalisation - Offer personalised claw clips with names, initials, or even a custom logo.

4. Sustainable materials - Use eco-friendly materials such as bamboo or recycled plastic to make your claw clips more sustainable.

5. Custom packaging - Create custom packaging for your claw clips that makes them stand out on store shelves or online.

6. Education - Offer tutorials, classes, and video content on how to style hair using claw clips, this could help you establish yourself as an expert in the field.

7. Partnerships - Partner with hair salons or hairstylists to offer claw clips as part of a package deal.

8. Branding - Develop a strong brand identity that sets you apart and makes you memorable, this could help you establish a loyal customer base.

9. Price - Offer a range of prices to cater to different budgets and make your claw clips more accessible to a wider range of customers.

10. Bundle - Create bundle deals that offer a variety of claw clips at a discounted price. 

 

Lastly, if you want to test the waters, there are hundreds of results that come up in the Second Edit Facebook Community when searching for “Claw Clips”. Use this as a starting point to find brands looking to stock claw clips and similar accessories in their shops here. Hint - review all comments for market research and product inspiration - you might even find a new supplier there too.

 

Let us know how you go in our Slack community.