Salons to create 28,000 apprentices positions in 2015
More than half (53%) of UK salons plan to take on at least one apprentice this year, creating more than 28,000 apprentice positions.
The news, contained within Salon Services’ fourth annual Beautiful Britain report, which surveys 2,257 industry professionals, has given a major boost to National Apprenticeship Week (March 9-13).
The report also revealed the industry proposes to add a further 23,000 jobs to the UK economy in 2015, with 37% of salons planning to hire additional staff this year.
While the outlook is positive for the growth of the industry, it is hampered by the lack of client loyalty, as more than half (58%) of respondents believe it is scarce. The vast majority (80%) of industry professionals attribute this reduction in loyalty to an increased appetite among clients to find the cheapest deal – fuelled by online discount sites and social media.
Treatment prices remained stable last year, but time between treatments increased across the board particularly impacting tanning, facials and manicures. Length of time between tanning sessions grew from 22 to 51 days, while manicures and pedicure services both saw an increase in time between treatments of 67% and 52% respectively.
However, it is not all negative, as 91% of UK salons saw a boost in male customers, with Northern Ireland seeing the biggest growth and Welsh men taking the title of “most groomed” as they checked themselves in for MANicures and “Man Tans” more frequently than men anywhere else in the country.
