A yearning for the long locks of celebrities is fuelling demand for hair extensions, with hair now the top beauty product being imported by Australian businesses, according to e-commerce website Alibaba.com.
Latest Alibaba.com Australian data for the second quarter of 2011 shows hair extensions are the number one product being sourced in the Beauty & Personal Care category. Wigs are the fifth most bought product in that category.
“The long flowing locks of celebrities like Beyonce, Rihanna and Lady Gaga have seen the popularity of hair extensions soar over the past year,” said Daphne Lee, Alibaba.com’s Director of International Business Development and Marketing Asia Pacific.
“Closer to home, we’ve seen the trend take off with former NSW premier Kristina Keneally recently replacing her signature bob with long blonde hair extensions.
“Long, flowing hair and voluminous bouffants are hugely popular at the moment and the figures show Australian beauty sector businesses are capitalising on this fashion trend.”
For the corresponding period in 2010, the Beauty & Personal Care category did not rate in the top 5 industries for Australian buyers.
Founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, Alibaba.com helps small businesses grow by connecting them with potential customers and trusted suppliers from around the world for every imaginable good, from laptops to wedding dresses to auto parts and accessories.
More than 620,000 Australians use Alibaba.com as a business source, with an average of 20,000 people signing up to the site each month.
Visit Alibaba.com for further information.