DALLAS, Oct 17, 2006/ FW/ ---‘Infinite diversity results to infinite combinations,’ Mr. Spock told Captain Kirk in one of the episodes of Star Trek. Little did we know that those words would resonate across the U.S. as America continues to embrace the different races that make up its population.

And, with diversity, there exists different products specifically targeted for each market segment, and one of the fastest growing niche markets is the ethnic-specific hair, beauty and cosmetic (HBC) products.

It might just be a shampoo, conditioner or hair spray, the normal arsenal of good grooming for men and women, but it has become a multi-billion dollar business with ethnic hair care topping $8.4 billion by year’s end according to the latest market research from Packaged Facts.

According the research released today, Ethnic Hair, Beauty and Cosmetic Products in the U.S. pegs the current market for ethnic-specific HBC products at nearly $1.9 billion, a 19% gain over 2001 figures.

Yet this is only a portion of what ethnic consumers actually spend on hair relaxers, nail and lip care, make-up, and other HBC products. General-market HBC purchases ring up at about 3.5 times more than ethnic-specific, with this year's general-market purchases expected to total over $6.5 billion.

Still, even with this niche market, consumers still make their decision on what to buy depending on several factors.

Again, according to Packaged Facts, “after being drawn to high-end, ‘non-ethnic-specific’ prestige-style HBC products early this century, the fading novelty factor coupled with ethnics' special grooming needs has caused the ethnic sector to settle into a pattern of interspersing use of traditional ethnic-specific products with non-ethnic-specific splurge items.”

As the HBC market becomes more competitive, ‘pop-prestige chains’ have started catering to ethnic-specific market, while mass retailers now sell ‘Dr. Endorsed’ products. Hence, the power of marketing and advertising, plus celebrity endorsements also take their bite out of the market.

"Ethnic consumers are not just choosing 'ethnic' or not. They're also looking at high-end versus value, chemical versus organic, and the latest fad versus 'urban style'," said Don Montuori, the publisher of Packaged Facts.

"Marketers should find that a more holistic approach to product offerings as well as more diverse retail promotional efforts will fare well with this rapidly growing demographic," Montuori added.

For more information about this research, please log on www.packagedfacts.com/pub/1190798.html