Brits spend £7.6 billion on salon and spa treatments

The beauty market has gone from strength to strength this year, with Brits spending £7.6 billion on treatments, according to market analyst Mintel’s Spa, Salon and In-Store Treatments UK 2017 report.

One in three Brits (33%) have indulged in a treatment at a spa or salon in the past 12 months, up from 30% in 2015, the report found. This year, 14% booked in for a massage, up from 11% in 2015; 13% enjoyed a manicure, up from 10% two years ago; and 10% had a facial, up from 6% in 2015.

Researchers predict that this boom will continue well into 2021, with the estimated spend on treatments in salons and spas by consumers expected to surpass £8bn.

“The spa, salon and in-store treatments sector continues to see steady growth, as the proportion of people having treatments such as facials and massages saw a rise over the past two years,” says Roshida Khanom, associate director, beauty and personal care at Mintel.

“This is likely in response to the introduction of more technical facial treatments, such as LED and radiofrequency, as well as express treatments.”

Clients book treatments for their mental wellbeing

When asked about the reason they book themselves in for treatments, more than three quarters of Brits (76%) said they did so to promote their mental wellbeing, while more than half (64%) also said it was an important part of their health routine.

“Mood matters and people are looking for ways to manage their emotional wellbeing. With most consumers who have had beauty treatments agreeing that these promote mental wellbeing, spas and salons can position themselves as a holistic approach to health and beauty,” says Khanom.  

In the past 12 months, 36% booked their last appointment as a treat for themselves, 20% did so for a special occasion and 19% said it was a regular grooming appointment.

The good news for salons and spas is that 70% of respondents said they book treatments ahead of time, keeping your columns nice and full, compared to 16% who book on the day and 14% who are walk in clients.

Male grooming boom

The number of men visiting spas and salons also increased in this period, with 47% having booked in for a beauty treatment and nearly a quarter (22%) saying they did so because they wanted to try something new, the report found.

The research revealed that in the past 12 months 18% of men aged 16–24 have had a massage, up from 11% in 2015; while 18% have had facial hair removal or shaping, up from 8% in 2015, and 17% body hair removal, up from 6% in 2015.

“The high proportion of men showing engagement in spa and salon treatments highlights that consumers are moving away from gender stereotypes while embracing gender neutrality,” adds Khanom.

You can read the full report here.