Essity Hikes Prices as U.S. Hygiene Sales Fall

Business operators should prepare for increased supply costs as the firm attempts to offset lower professional sector volume.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Employment

Essity Hikes Prices as U.S. Hygiene Sales Fall

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Hygiene supplier Essity reported a decline in sales and volumes for its U.S. professional hygiene business during Q3 2026. This contraction, which accounts for 40% of the firm's revenue in the country, reflects broader shifts in consumer dining habits and discretionary spending.

Why it matters

The slowdown in restaurant patronage, which has dropped to 39% of Americans dining out weekly compared to 53% in 2019, is forcing suppliers like Essity to navigate tighter margins. These operators are now raising prices across segments to recoup costs amidst stubborn 3.7% inflation and a cooling jobs market.

Professional hygiene products represent 40% of Essity's total U.S. revenue, a segment currently impacted by declining customer volumes. Meanwhile, U.S. consumer prices rose 3.7% in September, outpacing the 3.0% growth in average hourly wages.

The players

Essity

A global hygiene and health company that manages a significant professional hygiene business in the United States.

The details

Essity is attempting to offset the impact of higher raw material and energy costs by implementing price increases across its business segments. This strategy addresses the operational reality of lower volume in the professional hygiene market, where demand is tethered to the frequency of restaurant and commercial establishment patronage. Recent data indicates the bottom fourth of U.S. households saw a 50% decline in net worth between 2022 and 2025, further depressing non-essential consumer activity.

53% of Americans ate at restaurants weekly in 2019.
Bottom fourth of households saw a 50% net worth decline from 2022 to 2025.
US consumer prices rose 3.7% in September 2026.
Essity professional hygiene unit sales and volumes fell during Q3 2026.

Market Landscape

The current downturn in professional hygiene demand follows a significant contraction from the 2019 pre-pandemic baseline for restaurant attendance. This shift underscores a broader trend of declining discretionary spending among U.S. households.

Operators in the service and supply sectors should anticipate continued pricing pressure as suppliers attempt to balance rising energy costs against lower volume. Reevaluating procurement contracts and monitoring shifts in consumer traffic patterns remains essential for maintaining margins.

The takeaway

The decline in professional hygiene sales highlights how dampened consumer restaurant spending ripples upstream to commercial suppliers. Operators should monitor their own high-frequency traffic metrics to forecast demand and adjust inventory levels in response to broader household net worth trends.