Waukesha, Wisconsin — September 1, 2022 — HRG has completed its semiannual update of its Fine Line classification system for health, beauty, and wellness (HBW), home health care (HHC), and general merchandise (GM) products with notable adjustments to reflect industry changes. The September 2022 updates include extensive modifications which support the Fine Lines mission of improving the shopping experience, increasing reporting capabilities, and supporting merchandising strategies.
In the baby care category, the pediatric electrolytes Fine Line was moved from the baby formula, nutritionals & food subcategory to the baby health, beauty & wellness subcategory to reflect the treatment aspect of those products. The baby oil Fine Line was repurposed to become the electrolytes Fine Line and baby oil was added to the description of the baby lotions & creams Fine Line.
There was a significant change to the sun care category to reflect shifting consumer behavior. Donna Boulieu, senior product & strategic pricing analyst at HRG, stated, “Manufacturers have responded to consumers who are looking for multi-functional skin care solutions beyond UVA/UVB protection as well as those who want to protect their skin and the environment by using natural products.” She continued, “We are seeing that consumers are looking for different attributes in sunscreen based on whether it is for their face or body, so we have added “face” Fine Lines to each subcategory.” Additionally, new subcategories therapeutic/beauty sun protection and mineral/natural sun protection have been added based on these shopper-desired attributes:
- Beauty/Cosmetic — hydrating, tone-correcting, tinted
- Therapeutic — dermatologist recommended, sensitive skin, noncomedogenic
- Natural and Botanicals — free-from certain ingredients, plant-based, recycled packaging
- Minerals — physical barriers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
HRG’s team of analysts continually reviews the Fine Line classification system to determine whether modifications are necessary based on consumer market changes, emerging categories and subcategories, or to reflect merchandising trends. The Fine Line system classifies HBW, HHC, and GM products into categories, subcategories, and product segments and is used across the retail supply chain. Categories are organized by 2-, 3-, and 4-digit fine lines by HRG’s analyst teams to offer more refined reporting capabilities, facilitate analysis of product performance, and to segment the placement of products.
HRG releases updates to Fine Lines twice a year, in March and September. Updates to the HRG Fine Line system may consist of description changes, re-categorization of items, and additions or deletions of categories and/or subcategories. Download Fine Lines, or to learn more about HRG’s industry-standard Fine Line classification system, contact HRG client services at 414.355.1330 or info@hamacher.com.