Pepper spray sees sales boom in North America And across globe
UK police officer holding a pepper spray.
Pepper spray market surges as tech advances and rising safety concerns drive demand, report says
The global pepper spray market is booming, new research from Polaris Market Research finds, with sales already topping $42 billion and expected to keep growing as technology improvements and major manufacturers expand their reach.
Polaris says the U.S. market in particular has “gained substantial traction” and is likely to continue expanding through the forecast period thanks to increased investment in research and development of less-lethal self-defense products. Rising crime rates and safety concerns across regions — including Canada, Mexico and parts of Asia — have also fueled demand, the firm adds.
The report notes another important driver: law enforcement. Recent trends show police are increasingly using pepper spray both to protect officers and to control potentially violent people or crowds. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and East Asia were cited as factors contributing to broader global demand.
Overall, Polaris projects the market will expand at a compound annual growth rate of about 7.1% over the next nine years.
What pepper spray does and where it’s sold
Pepper spray is a chemical deterrent designed to temporarily incapacitate a threatening person or animal by causing intense eye pain, tearing, temporary loss of vision and breathing discomfort. Its relative effectiveness and lower lethality compared with firearms have made it a common choice for personal protection and for policing.
According to the research, demand among police forces has risen in response to political conflict, riots, violence and civil unrest. Pepper spray is widely available at specialty retailers such as sporting-goods stores, gun shops and some pharmacies.
About Post Author
