Handkerchief Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product Type (Cotton, Silk), By End User (Men, Women, Kids), By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, CSA, MEA), And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

Report Overview

The global handkerchief market size was valued at USD 9.68 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2021 to 2028. Consumers’ increased inclination toward environment-friendly products with good durability will drive the market. In the last few decades, handkerchiefs have been largely replaced by facial tissues. However, the growing awareness among consumers about environment-friendly products has helped them realize that facial tissues have adverse effects on the environment as they are not recyclable. These factors have led to a shift in the consumers’ preference toward handkerchiefs as they are reusable and durable. Change in consumers’ buying behavior will help the hankies market to grow in the next few years.

Handkerchief plays a vital role for anyone’s personal hygienic purposes such as wiping the face or hand or blowing one’s nose. It is an important tool in everybody’s life as it is used to dry the wash hands, clean the running nose, and dumb away forehead moisture. In addition, it gives economic benefit as well by saving money, which is going to be spent on facial tissues every time while buying them. Moreover, hankies are washable and reusable. Besides just wiping your blowing nose, it can be useful when walking under the heat of the sun and to clean up the dirt and sweat from the face. The hankies market has a wide customer base owing to the product’s multipurpose use, easy availability, and reusability, thus resulting in sustainable market growth.   

Manufacturing companies are coming up with multiple design patterns and different sizes using a variety of raw materials to attract a large number of consumers across the world. The easy availability of top brands and consumers’ inclination toward trendy products make handkerchiefs an essential tool for every individual. This will help the market to grow in the near future. The product also has cultural importance as in many countries, hankies are the essential tool for folk dancing. Besides their regular use, they can be used for multiple uses like cleaning equipment, showing signals, polishing shoes, holding cutting wounds, or as a replacement for a basket for carrying small items.

The economic slowdown in the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negligible impact on market growth. As most of the countries worldwide faced the lockdown, like other industries, the textile industry also witnessed a slowdown in economic growth during the pandemic period. However, the market for handkerchiefs sustained during this period owing to the easy availability of the products through the online portals. It is expected that as things get normalized post-2021, the textile industry is expected to pace up its operation. This, in turn, is expected to open new growth opportunities for the market in the upcoming years.

Product Type Insights

The cotton segment held the largest share of more than 60.0% in 2020. Cotton products have high demand in the global market as they have high absorption power, high durability, and are light in weight, making them a favorite among users. There are a variety of cotton used to make handkerchiefs like sateen cotton, organic cotton sateen, cotton lawn, and cotton poplin.

The silk segment is estimated to register the fastest growth rate of 5.2% from 2021 to 2028. Silk is softer in touch, good for human skin, and most hypoallergenic of all the fabrics. Silk hankies are widely used as a pocket square as they are used as a decorative accessory in a suit pocket. The easy availability of top brands in a variety of design patterns and increasing demand for pocket squares will drive the segment in the years to come.

End-user Insights

The men segment held the largest share of more than 53.0% in 2020. Hankies are very popular in men as this is the only accessory they carry for drying wet hands and cleaning their face from dust or sweat. Men carry few things with them and handkerchiefs are one of them as they easily fit into a pocket, are lightweight, and are also useful for decorative purposes like the square pocket in the suit.

The women segment projected to expand at the fastest CAGR of 5.1% from 2021 to 2028. Increased interest in environment-friendly products and the growing demand for trendiest fashion products will boost the sale of hankies in the women segment. The availability of a wide range of products with attractive design patterns and durability will drive the segment over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific held the largest share of over 38.0% in 2020. Handkerchiefs have growing demand from this region as it holds the world’s largest number of people. China, India, and Japan are the major contributors to the regional market growth as these countries hold a larger working population, which are well aware of hygiene and fashionable accessories.

North America is projected to expand at the fastest CAGR of 5.3% from 2021 to 2028. The presence of a number of global players in this region, increased use of square pockets as a decorative accessory, the growing demand for eco-friendly products, the availability of the product in a variety of patterns, and increased use of the product for hygiene purpose will drive the market in this region.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market for handkerchiefs is fragmented due to the presence of a number of global and local players. Top companies are strengthening their presence in the market by mergers and acquisitions, launching new products with different design patterns, considering consumers’ preferences while purchasing products and analyzing their reviews, the expansion of distribution channels, and adding more distributors by strengthening the supply chain. Global players are facing tough competition from the local manufacturers as they have a large presence in the regional markets and easy availability of duplicate products. Some prominent players in the global handkerchief market include: -

• Kamawanu
• Libeco
• Gucci
• Ralph Lauren
• Louis Vuitton
• Dior
• Levi Strauss & Co.
• Selected
• Adidas
• Nike
• Versace
• The Dapper Tie
• Ted Baker
• Chanel
• Prada

Handkerchief Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2028. For the purpose of this study, Million Insights has segmented the global handkerchief market report on the basis of product type, end user, and region:

• Product Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)
  • Cotton
  • Silk
  • Others
• End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)
  • Men
  • Women
  • Kids
• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)
  • North America
    • U.S.
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
  • Central & South America
    • Brazil
  • Middle East & Africa
    • South Africa