North America Windshield Snow Brush Market

Market Overview

North America Windshield Snow Brush market revenue was valued at USD 1,893.0 million in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 2,483.8 million, with a CAGR of 2.8%.

A snowbrush is a handheld tool for removing ice and snow from the windows of cars, trucks, or other surfaces. This tool features multiple rows of thick bristles that work well for moving all types of snow, from wet to light to dry, powdery snow.

The windshield comes with a durable foam or aluminum handle, which ensures a secure, comfortable grip and enhanced leverage for effective snow, ice, and frost removal. It comes in a variety of different model sizes and can be used in various seasons to help clear walking and parking areas of leaves, sand, dirt, and snow. Prominent factors that are creating upswings for the market include product innovation, growing online e-commerce platforms, and fluctuating weather conditions.

Market Dynamics

Fluctuating Weather Pattern across the Globe

Recent years have seen a rise in global temperatures associated with changing weather patterns. Weather conditions have been fluctuating, with prolonged monsoons and winters and more frequent winter snow and snowstorms. For instance, the prevalence of extreme snowstorms in the eastern parts of the U.S. has increased over the past century.

Climate change has caused warmer than average surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, spurring high moisture flow and causing snowstorms. The January 2016 blizzard in the state of New York was the biggest snowstorm in the region’s history and produced around three feet of snow.

Laws in various states mandate drivers to clean snow-covered vehicle windshields to avoid accidents due to low visibility and avoid hitting ice on the vehicle behind. Thus, increased snowfall and prolonged winters are expected to drive the windshield snow brush market.

Rapid Product Innovations 

Today, the world is changing more rapidly than ever before, driven by demographic changes and innovative digital technologies. Strong demand in the U.S. and Canada for windshield snow brushes provides a platform for market growth.

Windshield snow brushes were traditionally manufactured using wood and steel, which were later replaced by new-age plastics, such as EVA foam and Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), among other lightweight materials. Breakthroughs in product design and development led to the evolution of efficient scrapers used to break and scrape ice and snow, complimented with padded grips, self-locking extension mechanisms, and easy-to-use buttons that make a simple brush more efficient and easier to use. The increasing demand for windshield snow brushes will lead to further product innovation and provide a fillip to market growth

Growth of E-commerce

The global e-commerce industry is growing at an unprecedented rate. The number of e-commerce players has increased, largely due to the ease of doing business and the rapid development of logistics infrastructure across the globe. With busier lifestyles and technological evolution, consumers are seeking more convenient methods of fulfilling their shopping needs. Moreover, customizations and the use of AI by e-commerce websites are augmenting sales in the industry. Most of the e-commerce sector’s growth is attributable to the rising consumer income and increased standard of living.

The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce estimates that the U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the third quarter of 2020 were around USD 209.5 billion (adjusted for seasonal variation). The online segment has also seen significant growth in the demand for windshield snow brushes in the last few years. Sales from the online channel are bound to increase during the forecast years, owing to the rising influence of digital media and marketing and the fact that it gives consumers a plethora of options to choose from.

Slowdown of the Regional Automotive Sector  

North America’s automobile sector is one of the largest industries globally. Once a crown jewel of the global automobile industry, today it faces a tough fight from European and Japanese carmakers known to manufacture cars with higher quality and lower prices. Furthermore, the recent coronavirus pandemic has created a blip in the economy and reduced consumer spending, plummeting demand from the manufacturing sector and affecting the automobile industry

Regional Analysis

Heavy Snowfall in the U.S. and Stringent Government Regulations to Drive the Demand for Windshield Snowbrush in North America

North America — a pioneer in technological development — is one of the key manufacturers and consumers of windshield snow brushes. As per the International Monetary Fund World Economic, North America ranks first globally in terms of nominal GDP and second in terms of purchasing power in 2018. Its nominal GDP accounted for USD 19.39 trillion in 2017 and is expected to touch USD 24.53 trillion by 2023.

The climate and winters in the U.S. can vary significantly by location and season. The winter is reasonably mild in the southern parts of the country, while the northern, northeastern, midwestern, Great Plains and the western mountains regions experience snowfall and colder temperatures. Further, snowfall in the region can range from a few inches to a couple of feet. Laws in states, such as Connecticut, mandates vehicle owners to remove snow to prevent large chunks of ice from hitting the windshield.

The U.S. automobile industry is one of the largest in the world. As per the International Trade Administration (ITA), the U.S. Department of Commerce, total light-vehicle sales was around 17 million units in 2018. Furthermore, total FDI in the automotive sector reached USD 115 billion in 2018, while R&D investment amounted to USD 105 billion. These factors present a favorable scenario for the growth of the automobile industry. The U.S is prone to heavy snowfall and blizzards, and vehicles covered in snow can lead to vehicle freeze up, rusting, dead batteries, and frozen windows and door locks, among other problems. Thus, windshield snow brushes are used extensively to remove snow from vehicles.

Segmental Analysis

PVC Segment to Grow with a CAGR of 3.2%.

EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) has a closed-cell foam structure and exhibits superior water and moisture resistance and high durability. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) — an easy-to-assemble, thermoplastic polymer — is another material widely used in the manufacturing of windshield snow brushes. Among the two segments, PVC is expected to account for the larger market share due to its superior properties, ease of availability, and low cost, making it manufacturers’ preferred material for snow brushes.

The other segment, which covers Polycarbonate (PC) plastic, holds a smaller share compared to EVA Foam and PVC. Surging automotive demand, coupled with changing weather conditions and prolonged winters, has seen an upsurge in the demand for snow brushes. Certain states in the U.S., such as Alaska, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, have snow removal laws that make it mandatory to scrape ice and snow from the windshield.

Online Segment to Show Considerable Growth during the Forecast Period

The online segment is largely driven by the rising influence of digital media and marketing. Players are focusing on expanding their business reach and exploring and adopting new models of distribution and sales networks that can strengthen micro-enterprises and expand economic opportunities across both domestic and overseas markets.

They are engaging and providing services to customers through online platforms in an effort to foster long-term relationships with customers and expand their customer base. Store-based retail, such as the franchise store and specialty stores, will have an edge over online stores as one can simply walk down to a store rather than awaiting the arrival of an online delivery package.