U.S. Personal Protective Equipment Retail Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Head Protection, Eye Protection), By Distribution Channel, By End-use (Healthcare Professionals, Industrial Workers), By Country, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Market Size & Trends

The U.S. personal protective equipment retail market size was estimated at USD 8.0 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2024 to 2030. The market growth is expected to be fueled by stringent workplace safety regulations, driven by the increased significance of worker safety. Moreover, the market growth is also expected to be driven by increasing awareness regarding workplace safety, government regulations, rising costs of workplace injuries and illness, and increasing demand for smart and innovative personal protective equipment (PPE) products. Major retail chains, including Walmart, Target, and Costco, entered the market by offering a comprehensive range of PPE products in their physical stores and online platforms. These retail giants leverage their vast supply chain networks and nationwide presence to establish themselves as convenient and accessible sources of PPE.

The U.S. legislator framework also aims at improving the safety of workers across industries. The directive has established minimum requirements and fundamental principles such as risk assessment, responsibilities of employers & employees, safety measures, protective apparel, and prevention of industrial accidents. Thus, favorable regulations are expected to drive the manufacturing and production of personal protective equipment, generating potential growth opportunities for the retail personal protective equipment market.

The growing importance of safety and security in workplaces creates a sustainable and expanding market for PPE, as organizations increasingly prioritize the well-being of their employees. Retailers are integral to meeting this demand by offering a wide range of PPE products that cater to the evolving safety needs of different industries and workplaces. This, in turn, is anticipated to boost the U.S. PPE retail market over the forecast period.

Furthermore, in the U.S., significant buyers of PPE include the government and Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) representing hospitals, retailers, and e-commerce platforms. While there was an attempt to centralize PPE procurement by the federal government, distributors have remained the predominant purchasers of PPE in the U.S. market. Retailers have a crucial role in the PPE market, as manufacturers rely on them to facilitate the sale of their products to end consumers. The forces of globalization and the consolidation of PPE manufacturers are anticipated to have a substantial impact on PPE retailers. These developments will likely compel retailers to broaden their scope and explore opportunities beyond traditional boundaries, adapting to evolving market dynamics.

The market in the U.S. experienced substantial growth due to the increased demand for personal protective equipment products such as face protection. Retailers that pivoted to offer personal protective equipment saw a significant boost in their sales. Moreover, with the closure of physical stores and concerns about in-person shopping, there was a notable shift toward online sales for personal protective equipment products such as face protection, protective clothing, and hand protection. E-commerce platforms and online marketplaces became a key distribution channel. Thus, owing to these factors, the market witnessed a surge in demand.

Product Insights

The hand protection segment dominated the market in 2023 with a revenue share of 35.0%. These gloves shield the hands of wearers from splinters, knives, sharp edges, hot items, electricity, strong vibration, and extreme cold. They also protect hands from blood and bodily fluids. There are different kinds of protective gloves available in the market. These are leather gloves, electrically insulated gloves, cut-resistant gloves, anti-vibration gloves, specially insulated gloves, etc.

The demand for the head protection segment is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period. Head protection is essential in the construction, mining, oil & gas, and manufacturing industries to protect employees from head injuries due to collisions. The increasing emphasis of companies on the safety of their employees drives the demand for head protection equipment in the U.S.

Distribution Channel Insights

The offline distribution channel segment dominated the market in 2023 with a revenue share of 72.2%. Governments and health authorities around the U.S. intervened to regulate PPE sales, pricing, and distribution to ensure fair access, curb counterfeit products, and prevent hoarding. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted widespread education about mask usage and the importance of using genuine N95 masks for proper protection. Offline retailers played a role in disseminating information and promoting correct mask-wearing practices. These aforementioned factors are anticipated to propel the demand for offline distribution of PPE in the coming years.

Online retail refers to the sale of PPE products through e-commerce platforms including specialized PPE websites, online marketplaces, and manufacturer-direct websites such as Amazon, PPEStore.com, and 3M Direct. The online distribution channel is utilized by both the makers of personal protection equipment and intermediaries to supply goods to the consumer.

End-use Insights

The healthcare professionals segment dominated the market in 2023 with a revenue share of 22.0%. Healthcare professionals use PPE to safeguard themselves and patients from the spread of infections or diseases. PPE used in this area includes items like masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles and is crucial in maintaining a safe healthcare environment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2022 and 2032, the total number of healthcare occupations is anticipated to increase much faster than the average for all occupations.

The use of PPE by industrial workers is critical for ensuring their safety and well-being in various work environments. PPE, such as safety helmets, gloves, and steel-toed boots, helps protect industrial workers from injuries caused by falling objects, sharp materials, or other workplace hazards. Moreover, industries dealing with dust, chemicals, or airborne contaminants often require workers to use respirators to prevent inhalation of harmful substances, safeguarding their respiratory health.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The U.S. PPE retail market is highly fragmented, with numerous small-to-large manufacturers and suppliers competing for market share. This fragmentation offers a wide selection of equipment and customization choices to buyers while catering to specific industry needs. To meet the rising demand from a diverse range of industries, the market players are pursuing business growth through strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, establishment of new manufacturing facilities, and geographic expansion initiatives.

For instance, in June 2023, Uline announced the expansion of its operations in southeast Wisconsin by developing a 4.5 billion square feet distribution center, which is expected to become the largest warehouse in the network of company. The initiative is expected to impact the business operations of the company in Kenosha County. This distribution center is planned to have four buildings to strengthen the company’s supply chain and enhance its future expansion.

U.S. Personal Protective Equipment Retail Market Report Scope

U.S. Personal Protective Equipment Retail Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at country-level analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. personal protective equipment retail market report based on product, distribution channel, and end-use:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Head Protection

    • Hard Hats

    • Bump Caps

  • Eye Protection

    • Safety Glasses

    • Goggles

  • Face Protection

    • Full Face Shields

    • Half Face Shields

  • Hearing Protection

    • Earmuffs

    • Earplugs

  • Protective Clothing

    • Heat & Flame Protection

    • Chemical Defending

    • Clean Room Clothing

    • Mechanical Protective Clothing

    • Limited General Use

    • Others

  • Respiratory Protection

    • Ear Loop Face Masks

    • Surgical Masks

    • N95 Masks

    • Respirators

  • Protective Footwear

    • Leather

    • Rubber

    • PVC

    • Polyurethane

    • Others

  • Hand Protection

    • Disposable

    • Durable

  • Others

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Online

  • Offline

    • Discount Stores

    • Supermarkets

    • Medical Supply Stores

    • Auto Shops

    • Hardware Stores

    • Office Supply

    • Sporting Goods

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Healthcare Professionals

  • Industrial Workers

  • DIY

  • Construction Workers

  • Food Service Workers

  • Janitorial and Cleaning Staff

  • Retail Store Employee

  • Others