News

Beauty salons among top 10 local businesses supported by consumers

Beauty salons are among the local independent businesses most supported by UK consumers during coronavirus, according to data from payment service Tyl by NatWest.

23% have supported their local beauty salon during the pandemic, ranking it seventh in the top 10 and highlighting just how much clients appreciate salon services.

The top 10 local independent businesses supported by UK consumers in the past year: 

1. Grocery store (supported by 45% of respondents) 

2. Corner shop (42%) 

3. Pharmacy (32%) 

4. Restaurant (30%) 

5. Butchers (29%)

 6. Local market (25%) 

7. Beauty services (23%) 

8. Gardening (19%) 

9. DIY store (19%)

 10. Clothing store (17%).

More than a third (35%) said that they shopped local to support the economy and 21% cited the reduced environmental impact as a key motivator too, the report found. When shopping local, an online presence, loyalty schemes and also accepting credit/debit card payments were listed as top priorities by consumers.

Just under half of respondents (47%) believe they could be doing more to support independent shops and a fifth (22%) plan to increase spending at these types of businesses “significantly” during this year.

The survey also created a top 10 ranking of locally conscious cities, by the percentage of their income spent on supporting independent businesses. Leeds came out top, followed by Nottingham, Glasgow, Sheffield, then London. Newcastle, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Belfast also made the top 10.

UK consumers spent an estimated £7.2 billion with local businesses in 2020.

Consumers to invest in self-care and stress-reducing beauty routines this year

Beauty routines that combat stress and consumers shopping locally are trends set to impact the global beauty and personal care industry, according to analyst Mintel’s “Global Beauty and Personal Care Trends for 2021” report.

Mintel’s trend predictions for 2021 are: 

1. Beautiful mind: Brands that highlight the use of beauty routines as a way to combat stress and anxiety will drive long-term value for consumers, stated Mintel’s report. Beauty professionals will need to educate consumers on self-care that touches on the mind-body-spirit connection. 

2. Beauty re(valued): “Flexitarian” behaviour will become more extreme as shoppers trade up and down across categories. Product functionality and purpose will drive usage, with value measured in quality, convenience and impact, rather than currency. 

3. Channel changers: Brands will need to develop strategies to drive commerce to own-brand sites that advocate authenticity. The professional sector will be elevated further with “an enhanced beauty experience through the use of trusted professionals creating a true omnichannel strategy,” said Mintel 

4. Beauty eco-lution: As consumers continue to re-evaluate their priorities, eco-ethical considerations will drive spend, with more shopping locally and less of a focus on price.

inbrief

// The UK’s most popular beauty trends, based on monthly Google searches, include microblading, eyelash extensions, eyebrow tinting and HD Brows, according to The Body Shop’s report. Brow lamination saw the biggest growth in 2020, with a 1,495% increase in searches, followed by pastel eyeliner, up 735%.

// The top ways small businesses are surviving the Covid-19 crisis so far have been revealed by Small Business Britain, which found that 53% have accessed emergency Government financial support, 52% added new technology and 44% found new revenue streams.

// Lynton has extended its Lockdown Learning Initiative with masterclasses. Speakers include Rosy Boulton, director of Crystal Rose Skin Clinic; and Kerry Belba, director of Laser Skin Solutions. Lynton has also launched an internal charity donation initiative, which has so far benefited Thrombosis UK and the Autistic Society.

// Scott Dance, founder of Salon Revenue Growth, has launched a free eBook: The 13 Best Money-Making Tools For Salons Post Pandemic. The report collated data and feedback from salons over the past 24 months and is available to download at SalonRevenueGrowth.com.

// OPI has signed actress Kerry Washington as brand ambassador for its 40th anniversary year. Washington has collaborated with Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI’s co-founder, to create the Washington D.C. collection of OPI’s top 40 shades. “Kerry is a woman of style and substance who is fierce in everything she undertakes, from acting to activism,” said Weiss-Fischmann.

Hair and beauty salons’ turnover down 45% during coronavirus

Coronavirus has hit hair and beauty salons hard, with turnover falling by 45% in 2020, according to the National Hair & Beauty Federation’s (NHBF) “Hair, Beauty and The Pandemic: An Industry at the Sharp End” report.

Social distancing restrictions have resulted in salon capacity falling to 70% of what it was before the pandemic, with businesses losing on average two hours of appointment time per therapist or stylist per day, the report found.

The average cash loss to a business in 2020 was £17,000, with those over the VAT threshold taking an even bigger hit. One in 10 businesses did not return any income or dividend to their owners or managers. Full-time employment in the sector is also down 21% compared with 2019.

The report said Covid-19 has had a disproportionate impact on women and those living in deprived communities – beauty and hair business owners are 82% female, with an 88% female workforce.

The NHBF is calling for a reduction in VAT to 5%, which would add £16,000 to the average VAT-registered business. This would reduce to 6% the proportion of businesses not returning anything to their owners or managers.

By the association’s calculations, if 18% of the businesses that would have otherwise failed survive as a result of reducing VAT to 5%, then the policy would pay for itself through the taxes they will pay.

ASA bans “misleading” filters on influencers’ beauty product ads

A ruling by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned the use of filters on sponsored social media posts advertising beauty products that could be “misleading” consumers.

Videos showed influencers using filters while advertising tanning products – two Instagram Stories for Skinny Tan and one for Tanologist Tan.

These posts have been banned for applying a filter that “misleadingly exaggerated the effect the product was capable of achieving,” said the ASA.

The ruling means that brands, influencers and celebrities shouldn’t apply filters to photos that promote beauty products if the filters are likely to exaggerate the effects of the product.

The ruling was in response to the #filterdrop campaign, by Sasha Pallari, which calls for it to be compulsory for influencers to state if they’re using filters when promoting skincare or cosmetics.

inbrief

// Cosmeceutical distributor Harpar Grace has expanded its digital and marketing support for its customers with the appointment of SK (Spiritthoula Koukoufikia), who joins as strategic development manager. SK joins from PHI Clinic, where she was lead aesthetician to Dr Tapan Patel. Her role will cover marketing, sales, PR and account development.

// Phorest Salon Software has released gender neutral software. The update, encouraging “no labels, no boxes, just humans”, enables salons using Phorest to select a gender-neutral option to remove the male/female checkboxes. Phorest hopes that this feature will have a significant impact on clients and their in-salon experience when salons reopen.

// Skincare brand Clarins has partnered with Vee24 on a Virtual Boutique offering one-to-one, personalised consultations with its beauty coaches, to bring an in-store customer experience online.

// In celebration of its 40th anniversary, aesthetics brand Galderma has launched the Galderma Aesthetic Injector Network (GAIN), which includes masterclasses, congress engagements, and programmes to develop key external experts. Its new business transformation webinar helps practitioners improve their clinics.

// Liz McKeon, salon business coach, will run an online, one-day event: How to Kickstart Your Business and Your Team on March 3 to take salon owners back to basics, covering revisiting your customer service journey, how to communicate business goals to inspire staff and the benefits of positive thinking.

Best areas to work as a therapist, based on wage vs. cost of living 

Wales, London and the West Midlands have been named the best regions to work as a beauty therapist, taking into account wages and cost of living.

The findings, from insurance company NimbleFins, were based on full-time salaries and found that Wales is the best area, with average pay at £18,481, and the average cost of living at £24,461. This yields a pay/cost of living ratio of 0.76.

Behind Wales is London, with average pay of £22,474 and household spend of £34,232 (a ratio of 0.66). While beauty therapists might earn the most money in London, the high cost of living makes it harder to afford living in the capital. Third is the West Midlands where therapists earn £15,709 on average, and household spend is £25,194 (0.62 ratio).

The least affordable area is the East of England, with an average pay of £14,196 versus average household spend of £29,635 (0.48 ratio). Second least affordable is the South East, with £17,534 pay; £34,190 household spending and a ratio of 0.51.

57% of women delaying cervical screenings while they can’t get a wax

Almost three in five women (57%) who have professional waxing services admitted to putting off their cervical screening due to not being “perfectly preened” during lockdown, found appointment-booking app myGP.

As a result, myGP has launched the #myCat campaign, inviting women to post a picture of a cat that best represents their current “lady garden”, to raise awareness of cervical cancer and reduce embarrassment.

The myGP study also revealed that 56% of women admitted to missing cervical screening appointments because of intimate hair growth, even before lockdown.

Hillary Cannon, chief marketing officer at myGP and three-time cancer survivor, said “The campaign’s cheeky ‘Bushy, bare or half-way there?’ messaging allows the discussion of a serious issue under the veil of laughter, which makes it easier for everyone to participate.”

inbrief

// Lash extensions brand Lash Dolls UK hosted free competitions on Instagram throughout February. Based on the Great British Bake Off, lash artists were invited to complete a signature lash look, technical challenge and themed showstopper look. Lash Dolls UK also provided tutorials, discounts and tips.

// The top 10 cities for self-care have been announced in money.co.uk’s Self-Care Capitals Report. Paris took the top spot, followed by London, Moscow and Singapore. Rome, Berlin, Prague, Madrid, Bangkok and Hong Kong, also made the top 10. Cities were judged on factors including beauty salon search volume, number of parks and museums, quality of life and cost of self-care.

// Salon System is providing online education for beauty professionals on its Instagram page. The Nourish Your Mind campaign offers free support, covering growing your skills online and staying motivated. Pilates and guided breathing exercises run by Jacqui Gurr have also been included to help pros create new habits.

// Chiva-Som International Academy, Bangkok, has introduced online spa and nutrition courses covering diet and nutrition, anatomy and physiology, spa development, spa management, and facial lifting and fi rming. They are aimed at spa professionals, nutritionists and others who are interested in self-care.

// The Spa at Carden in Cheshire is celebrating its fi rst anniversary, with award-wins including Best New Spa in the 2020 Good Spa Guide Awards, being the offi cial home to the I’m A Celebrity contestants, and a Five Bubble Luxury Rating.

Skincare company Monuskin buys 50% share of Carlton Professional

Skincare manufacturer Monuskin has bought a 50% share in beauty and electrotherapy equipment company Carlton Professional.

The new partnership will see the opening of a purpose-built factory for Carlton Professional machines in Sussex, as well as the launch of two websites – a dedicated sales site and a resource site with training videos, marketing and treatment advice for therapists.

“We’ve been nurturing the business to be the preferred skincare partner for leading spas and salons,” said Monuskin chief executive Laurent van Bekkum.

“To now be able to offer the best in advanced technology beauty equipment is a hugely exciting development and we’re delighted to bring Carlton Professional to the Monuskin customer and beyond.”

Chris Woodhead, chief executive of Carlton Professional, added: “Carlton Professional and Monuskin have always been businesses producing products with a similar ethos of good value, high quality and exceptional performance. We’re proud to bring together two iconic British brands.”

Timely gives £370,000 of financial relief to salons during lockdown

As suppliers continue to step up to help beauty businesses, software provider Timely has so far provided more than £370,000 worth of financial relief to salons during the pandemic.

The relief has been provided to more than 15,000 beauty and hair businesses in the UK and Ireland, and this aid was extended back in January for a further three months while salons are unable to trade. The financial relief has come in the form of salons putting their accounts on hold, while others who have wanted to continue to use the software during lockdown have had discounts on their subscription.

Timely co-founder and chief executive Ryan Baker believes the industry can do more to support businesses. “Our mission is to grow the value of the beauty industry and increase the wealth of all its participants. However, right now, the beauty industry is in crisis as a result of coronavirus and the necessary lockdowns. I’m calling on all suppliers to do more to support our industry in the form of financial relief,” he said.

Last year, Timely announced a partnership with The Help Hub – a not-for-profit organisation which has been established to offer emotional support services to people across the UK. Using the Timely platform people can book a 20-minute appointment with a trained therapist for free.

diarydates

// February 28–March 2 Professional Beauty World Online The online event returns with conferences spanning beauty, hair, spa and aesthetics, plus a host of demos and special offers. 020 7351 0536 professionalbeauty.world

// June 13–14, 2021 Professional Beauty Business ExCeL London The new invitation-only, targeted business event for salon and spa owners. 020 7351 0536 professionalbeauty.co.uk/business

// September 26–27, 2021 Professional Beauty North Manchester Central The largest beauty exhibition in the North is back with hot launches, education, competitions and more. 020 7351 0536 professionalbeauty.co.uk/north

// October 17–18, 2021 Professional Beauty London ExCeL London The flagship show will return. There will be conferences for beauty, spa, nails and manufacturing. 020 7351 0536 professionalbeauty.co.uk/london

// October 17, 2021 Professional Beauty and World Spa & Wellness Awards, London The industry’s biggest party is back. This black-tie event will celebrate the best beauty, spa and nail businesses. 020 7351 0536 professionalbeauty.co.uk/awards

// November 7–8, 2021 Professional Beauty & HJ Live Ireland CityWest Dublin Join Ireland’s biggest beauty, hair and spa trade show. 020 7351 0536 professionalbeauty.ie

Medik8 Pro At-Home launches to support therapists during coronavirus

Medik8 has launched a new pro-only category, Medik8 Pro At-Home, to help beauty therapists create new client relationships during Covid-19, as well as build on existing ones, by offering them something exclusive.

The theme of Pro At-Home is products of a high strength that are only available via consultation with a pro in salon/clinic, helping to create a demand for custom in these tough times.

The first product in the line is superhigh-percentage Crystal Retinal 20 (pictured).

“Our exclusive line of selected retail products will only be available via our professional channels, with a verbal consultation,” said Daniel Isaacs, Medik8’s director of research.

“Our aim is to give our pro network the opportunity to capitalise wholly on product launches, supporting small businesses globally.”

Thalgo joins forces with SeaCleaners to clean up plastic from the oceans

Spa brand Thalgo has partnered with organisation SeaCleaners to help clean up the oceans and reduce single-use plastic waste.

The collaboration is the latest move in Thalgo’s pledge to create responsible beauty products, protecting the sea. The operation will work in three areas: Thalgo and SeaCleaners will collaboratively campaign to reduce worldwide plastic consumption; the Manta sailboat (pictured) will collect, compact and recycle plastic macro-waste from the oceans; and waste collections by Thalgo teams and volunteers from The SeaCleaners organisation will take place on river shores and marine coastlines.

Sweet Squared launches online education Sweet Series for pros

Distributor Sweet Squared (S2) has been supporting beauty pros throughout Covid-19 lockdown 3.0 with a series of live education on its Facebook and Instagram pages.

Offering knowledge and tips, the sessions have been led by S2 education ambassadors focusing on a different beauty or businessrelated topics.

CND and Light Elegance education ambassador Victoria Trafford has been running Transformation Tuesday webinars, discussing nail trends, designs and treatment techniques, while CND education ambassador and session tech Liza Smith has been delivering weekly Business Boost sessions on Thursdays, offering reopening advice.