5 June 2018
The Local Data Company’s Retail and Leisure Trends Report 2017/2018 revealed that barbershops and beauty salons now occupy the top two spots in the 10 most popular retail businesses opening in 2017, with nail bars also coming in at number 5. Hair and beauty salons were in the top 10 last year, but have now been overtaken by other kinds of retail businesses. A new entrant into the top 10 is health clubs, further evidence that there is continuing demand from consumers for services that make them feel good about themselves.
The results
| Position in 2018 | Type of business | Position in 2017 |
| 1 | Barbershops | 2 |
| 2 | Beauty salons | 3 |
| 3 | Tobacconists | 1 |
| 4 | Cafes and tearooms | 5 |
| 5 | Nail salons | 7 |
| 6 | Restaurants and bars | 10 |
| 7 | Coffee shops | 6 |
| 8 | Pizza takeaways | - |
| 9 | Health clubs | - |
| 10 | Mobile phones | 8 |
Source: LDC, June 2018
Looking over the last 5 years, barbershops and beauty salons not only rank in the top categories which opened the most stores between 2012 and 2017, but their rates of growth actually increased 2017. Apart from tearooms and cafes, all other categories ranked in the top five-year openings saw a slowdown in their rate of growth in 2017.
Hilary Hall, NHBF’s chief executive, said:
“While this report provides evidence of the continuing growth and popularity of barbershops, beauty salons and nail bars, it does mean that these businesses face ever-increasing competition in a tough marketplace. To stay ahead of their competitors, they need to work harder than ever on their brand, on delivering an outstanding client experience, investing in their teams and keeping tight control on costs in order to turn a profit.”
Download the Local Data Company’s Retail and Leisure Trends Report here