UK spending on salon and in-store beauty treatments to reach £8bn by 2021

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Nov 26, 2017

In-store beauty treatments are having a moment, fuelling the £7.6 billion Brits are expected to spend in spa, salon and in-store treatment areas this year, according to a new report.

Cosmetics brands such as Aesop and Benefit have started to offer customers a variety of in-store beauty treatments such as facial massages and brow styling, while other companies including Space NK and Lush have opted to open dedicated standalone spas.

The move into the UK spa, salon and in-store treatments market is paying off, as the proportion of Brits who have had a beauty treatment in the past 12 months has increased has increased from 30% in 2015 to 33% this year, according to new research from Mintel.

Brits are treating themselves to massages, nail treatments and facials, and as a result, UK consumer spending on spa, salon and in-store treatments is expected to surpass £8 billion by 2021.

“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. This is likely in response to the introduction of more technical facial treatments, such as LED and radiofrequency facials, as well as express treatments,” said Roshida Khanom, Associate Director, Beauty and Personal Care at Mintel.

Retailers are more likely to offer express beauty treatments, with Topshop offering quick manicures and pedicures at its Oxford Street store, Cowshed providing express LED facials at Selfridges Oxford Street and Sweaty Betty adding a braid bar at its new Carnaby street flagship store.

MOOD MATTERS

The Mintel report reveals the majority of Brits are taking a holistic approach to their spa and salon visits, with 76% of those who have had a beauty treatment in the last 12 months saying that beauty and grooming treatments promote their mental wellbeing.

“Mood matters and people are looking for ways to manage their emotional wellbeing. With the majority of 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. Offering fitness classes or mindfulness coaching alongside treatments could promote the perception of wellness, while virtual reality headsets could transport people to more relaxing locations,” said Khanom from Mintel.

The number of men visiting salon and spas is also rising, with almost half of young men having had a treatment in a spa, salon or in-store in the past year.