Revealed: the impact of covid-19 on salons during christmas 2021

The latest National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) snap poll shows over 84% of hair and beauty salons and barbershops experienced reduced business compared with what would normally be expected between Christmas and New Year (28-31 December 2021), thanks to Covid-19. The unwelcome surge of the Omicron variant, and the fear that has resurfaced in its wake, hindered most salon’s notoriously busy and successful months. The detriment to the industry hasn’t stopped there, however, with 54% of businesses reporting staff absences due to Covid-19 or self-isolation, further reducing the amount of appointment slots available. Additionally, the impact of cancelled events and get-togethers and voluntary isolation eradicated the need for root-touch ups and blowouts. NHBF chief executive, Richard Lambert says: “There’s growing evidence that hair and beauty businesses are now on a financial knife-edge.  They were relying on a good December for the cashflow to make it through the quieter months at the start of the new year, but instead they are reporting the lowest pre-Christmas trade anyone can remember, with the prospect of that trend continuing into January. "We’re grateful that the Government recognised the sector needed support by increasing the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), but these grants are unlikely to be enough to sustain many hair and beauty businesses. We’ve lost 15% of the sector to the pandemic already, and without urgent targeted support, we could lose many more in the coming months.” The NHBF are continuing to put pressure on the government to increase financial support available to salons. The snap poll was undertaken via Instagram Stories over a 24-hour period from Wednesday 5 to Thursday 6 January and received more than 2000 responses. We know this hasn’t been the best way to kick off 2022, but we at HJ are here to support you come rain or shine! We hope the rest of the month continues in a more positive fashion.