Insider Beauty
Our exclusive monthly benchmarking stats for each sector of the market
MONSOON
May 2026 brought a mixed trading picture for salon businesses, with nearly a fifth (19%) reporting stronger treatment performance compared with May 2025 and a further 25% holding steady.
Seasonal shifts are shaping operations. Half of salon owners are now actively promoting earlier-day appointments to adapt to hotter weather patterns, while a further 12% are adjusting opening hours or schedules. This reflects a growing agility within the sector as businesses respond to changing client routines.
Booking behaviour is also evolving, with 63% noticing more last-minute appointments. While this presents challenges for planning, it opens opportunities for dynamic scheduling strategies and targeted marketing to fill gaps. For more tips on getting clients booked in, check out our feature on AI and salon software from page 44.
Month in numbers
How did treatment business in May 2026 compare with May 2025?
How did retail business in May 2026 compare with May 2025?
57% average treatment room occupancy in May
On the spot
Heatwaves and warmer UK summers are increasingly affecting footfall patterns. How is your business adapting?
1. Promoting earlier-day appointments (51%)
2. No major changes yet (37%)
3. Adjusting opening hours or schedules (12%)
63% have noticed clients booking closer to the last minute this year compared to previous years
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