Ghd Boosts R&D to Drive Global Innovation and Growth

Ghd, renowned as a leader in hair styling tools and a consistent presence backstage at the world's most prestigious fashion shows, is significantly enhancing its innovation strategy. The British beauty-tech brand, part of the Wella Company, is launching a new line of advanced tools and plans to double its investment in research and development over the next three years. This ambitious growth trajectory was recently discussed by CEO Jeroen Temmerman in an interview, outlining the company's vision for the future.

The core of ghd's development plan revolves around broadening its product portfolio and intensifying its commitment to developing cutting-edge beauty-tech solutions. This strategic expansion is designed to build upon the current positive momentum, fostering accelerated growth both internationally and across Europe. A key focus remains on investment and innovation in hair straighteners, aiming to solidify ghd's global leadership. The brand proudly holds the number one position for hair straighteners in the UK and is a market leader in several major European markets, including Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.

Ghd's impressive market standing and consistent growth are largely attributed to its robust investment in research and development. Over the past four years, the company's R&D expenditure has nearly doubled, underscoring its strategic priority. This commitment is exemplified by the Cambridge laboratory, where a dedicated team of over 100 engineers focuses exclusively on advancing hair care technology, driving continuous innovation that has been pivotal to the brand's recent success.

The fruits of ghd's extensive R&D are evident in its latest product launches. In 2024, the brand introduced the Chronos straightener, a culmination of more than two decades of research and expertise in heat styling. This revolutionary tool offers styling three times faster while crucially preventing extreme heat damage. Following this, August saw the release of the new Chronos Curve collection, featuring four professional curling tools. Demonstrating its forward-thinking approach, ghd has integrated artificial intelligence into its platforms to showcase diverse styling possibilities, thereby assisting consumers in selecting the most appropriate tool for their needs.

The new ghd Chronos range is now available globally through the brand's extensive salon network, in leading department stores, and via ghd’s official e-commerce site. These innovative tools are also set to make a significant appearance backstage at the upcoming September fashion weeks. Ghd maintains a long-standing global partnership with Victoria Beckham, serving as the exclusive backstage partner at her fashion show this year. Additionally, the brand collaborates with high-profile labels in Milan, such as Missoni, Cavalli, and Max Mara, leveraging these partnerships to further enhance brand awareness.

Ghd's global footprint extends across more than 30 countries, with international expansion remaining a paramount strategic priority. Professional salons are identified as a critical growth engine and a key distribution channel for the brand. In Italy, for instance, ghd boasts a loyal network of nearly 10,000 salon clients, with 2,500 participating in a premium partnership program that is significantly accelerating growth within this vital channel.

The Italian market holds particular importance for ghd, consistently proving to be one of Europe's most dynamic and high-performing markets, characterized by steady growth and a solid market share since the brand's entry in 2004. Recent results have been exceptionally positive, leading to confident forecasts for the financial year 2025. Italian consumers exhibit a profound passion for beauty and a distinct preference for premium products, frequently opting for ghd's most advanced solutions and seeking out the best available technologies.

Looking ahead, technological innovation is expected to continue serving as a fundamental driver of business performance and sustained growth within the category. With a strategic emphasis on both international expansion and continuous innovation, ghd is exceptionally well-positioned to maintain its current momentum and achieve accelerated growth in the coming year.