It’s been a strong year for the UK hair and beauty industry, with 86% of professionals reporting an increase in customer numbers and turnover in 2016, resulting in more hiring opportunities for therapists, according to the sixth annual Beautiful Britain report from Sally Salon Services.
Last year, the average number of full-time employees grew to three, an increase of one therapist, while 94% maintained or increased their part-time employee numbers, rising on average from one to two.
Of the 2,500 beauty and hair professionals surveyed nationwide, one third plan to hire more staff in 2017. Optimism is at its highest in the West Midlands and Northern Ireland, where more than half of salons expect to increase headcount.
Two thirds (64%) said they feel more optimistic about the business landscape now than a year ago, and despite gloomy Brexit headlines, more than 90% say they are yet to feel any impact of the vote on their business.
Last year, treatment prices increased across the board, which, coupled with an increase in customer loyalty, pushed the average annual spend per client up. Many took advantage of the male grooming boom, with 63% of salons reporting an increase in this client group – an 8% year-on-year rise – and men now accounting for 23% of customers.
It’s no surprise that the price of male treatments shot up too, with the average cost of a facial at £33 and manicure at £21 – the highest both have been since the report started in 2012. The average annual amount men spent was up £68 (9%) year on year, to £779.
For women, the time left between tan top-ups, facials, manicures and hair removal was shorter than in the previous year, while pedicures proved the most popular, with appointments booked on average once every five weeks – highlighting the potential for those who are looking to expand in these areas.
Tanning was most frequent in the West Midlands, with regulars going every 3.8 weeks, while those in Yorkshire and West Humber were the most frequent bookers of manicures, at once every three weeks.