Top opportunities for the hair industry in 2016

With the latest Beautiful Britain report finding that two-thirds of you are more optimistic than you were a year ago, we spoke to Warren Scarr, VP Commercial and Marketing Director, Sally Salon Services UK & Ireland to find out how to make the most of industry opportunities for 2016. 

The Male Grooming Boom

• Male grooming is still huge, with men now making up a fifth of all customers at salons. After 2014’s breakout increase of 83% in the number of male customers, the numbers continued to grow last year - 2015 saw professionals reporting a 44% increase in the number of men coming through their doors.
• Over half of professionals (52%) report that male customer numbers have remained the same, and only 3% have reported a decrease.
• As men are now indulging in treatments more frequently than ever, with everyday treatments like shaving up by 59%, this market means big business for hair professionals.
• If you’re one of the 40% of salons that don’t currently offer these services, you could be missing a trick. Why not consider equipping your salon or mobile business to tap into this growing customer base in 2016?

Join the Voucher Revolution

The question of customer loyalty continues to split opinion. You told us that online discounts and voucher codes are one of the biggest reasons for loss of customers, and up to two thirds of professionals in areas like Scotland cited this as the biggest reason.

Despite this, not many hair and beauty professionals are offering voucher codes themselves, with just 7% admitting to using these services – perhaps a missed opportunity for professionals. Why not practice the motto ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ and begin participating in voucher code schemes to attract customers back to your business?

Make it Snappy

In 2015 we saw the hair and beauty industry adapt to the growing trend for convenience by offering express treatments such as blow dry bars and pop ups, including setting up barbers in fashion shops.

This is an area that is set to grow in 2016, with consumers increasingly looking for quicker treatments that they can fit into a lunch break or before work. Diversifying with speedy services could be a fantastic way of growing your business over the next twelve months.