SALONS REMAIN OPTIMISTIC DESPITE MIXED FORTUNES IN 2014

The Salon Services report, on the state of the salon industry and what the future holds for salon managers and owners, surveyed 2,557 individuals in the hair and beauty industry. Top findings from the report include:

• 37% of salons plan to hire in 2015.
• 58% of salon workers believe that loyalty is scarce, with 80% of respondents believing this is due to an increased desire to find the best deals.
• Treatment prices remained stable against the 2013 figures.
• The time between treatments is increasing, with the time between women’s haircuts growing from 40 days to 52 days.
• Three-quarters of salons kept the same number of full-time workers as in 2013.
• More than half of salons are planning to hire an apprentice this year.
• Three-quarters of respondents said that hair and beauty is their career for life.
• The average cost of a female haircut is £40.20 in London and £16.90 in Wales.
• The average cost of a men’s haircut is £20.80 in London and only £7 in Wales.
• Cheryl Fernandez-Versini is the most popular style icon for women in 2015, taking the top spot from the Duchess of Cambridge.
• Wavy hair and undone up-dos are expected to be the big trends for 2015.
• David Beckham is the top style icon for men for the fourth year running.

The results of this year’s Beautiful Britain Report show encouraging signs of industry growth following mixed fortunes during the past decade. As one of the most flexible professions in the UK, the need to continuously adapt in order to please customers have never felt more important in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Beauty outlets have followed in the footsteps of the high street in terms of gradual growth, despite a cautious attitude in 2014 which resulted in a dip in staff numbers, and expansion is once again at the forefront of the industry.

The UK beauty industry alone is now worth £7.1 billion and a heavy shift to ecommerce has resulted in huge online sales that are contributing towards a successful future. A prominent focus on apprenticeships – 52% of salons plan to hire an apprentice in 2015 – will ensure the continuation of skills and build on today’s promising figures.

Amongst the many trends and shifts within the market, gender differences have been an interesting area to watch since 2013. The average price for a basket of beauty treatments for women in 2014 decreased by a third from 2013, while only 3% of salons reported heavy requests for previously popular tanning treatments in 2014.

However, as savvy female customers pursue the best deals in the market, the rise of the male grooming industry has provided additional capital to counteract a fall in treatment prices since the economic downturn. The reappointment of David Beckham, one of the UK’s most popular coined metrosexuals, as top style icon for the fourth year running is a fitting result during 2015 in which, according to one survey, nine in ten salons recorded an increase in taking in 2014.

Above all else, these latest findings from the Beautiful Britain Report confirm that the flexible nature of the industry will provide developing avenues for growth every year. Fresh trends, changes in consumer behaviour and investment in staff and technology will continue to create opportunities. Those with the ability to adapt and monopolise on the latest industry data will fair best in such a fast-paced business environment.

Staying abreast of the latest industry figures and analysing your own business records to meet the needs of your customers is now a must for salon owners. Salon management software lets you monitor every sale you make, providing you with financial reports in just a couple of clicks. Call us on +44 (0)1522 887200 to transform your salon today.