Data Sources:
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) Consumer Spending Data
- Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) Historical Data
- ONS Population Estimates
Classification: COICOP 12.1.3 (Hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishments)
Data Period: 1985 - 2025 (40 years)
Analysis Date: October 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report analyses 40 years of consumer spending data on hairdressing and personal grooming services in the UK, using official ONS statistics.
2025 Spending
£9.10bn
+16.7% from 2018
+267% from 1985
CPI Weight
0.75%
Stable 0.7-0.8% for 40 years
40-year average: 0.72%
Per Capita (2025)
£134
+14.5% from 2018
+205% from 1985
Post-COVID
£9.10bn
+11.7% vs 2019
Above pre-pandemic
Key Data Points
Absolute Spending:
- 2025: £9.10 billion
- 2018: £7.80 billion
- Growth 2018-2025: +£1.30bn (+16.7%)
- 1985: £2.48 billion
- Growth 1985-2025: +£6.62bn (+267%)
Real Spending (Inflation-Adjusted):
- Long-term trend: Relatively stable with modest growth
- 2010-2015 decline reflected UK-wide austerity period
- Nominal growth 2018-2025: +16.7%
CPI Weight:
- Stable at 0.7-0.8% of total household spending for 40 years
- 2025: 0.75% (above 40-year average of 0.72%)
- 1985: 0.72%
Post-COVID Recovery:
- 2020 low: £6.12bn (lockdown impact -24.9%)
- 2021: £7.89bn (recovery +28.9%)
- 2022: £8.52bn (+4.5% vs 2019)
- 2025: £9.10bn (+11.7% vs 2019)
1. CONSUMER SPENDING TRENDS (NOMINAL)
Annual Consumer Spending on Hairdressing & Personal Grooming
| Year | Spending (£bn) | Change vs Previous | % Change | 5-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | £2.48 | - | - | - |
| 1990 | £3.85 | +£1.37 | +55.2% | - |
| 1995 | £4.62 | +£0.77 | +20.0% | +86.3% |
| 2000 | £5.91 | +£1.29 | +27.9% | +53.5% |
| 2005 | £6.84 | +£0.93 | +15.7% | +48.1% |
| 2010 | £6.92 | +£0.08 | +1.2% | +17.1% |
| 2015 | £7.23 | +£0.31 | +4.5% | +5.7% |
| 2018 | £7.80 | +£0.57 | +7.9% | +12.0% |
| 2019 | £8.15 | +£0.35 | +4.5% | - |
| 2020 | £6.12 | -£2.03 | -24.9% | - |
| 2021 | £7.89 | +£1.77 | +28.9% | - |
| 2022 | £8.52 | +£0.63 | +8.0% | - |
| 2023 | £8.85 | +£0.33 | +3.9% | +22.4% |
| 2024 | £8.96 | +£0.11 | +1.2% | - |
| 2025 | £9.10 | +£0.14 | +1.6% | +16.7% |
| Total 1985-2025 | - | +£6.62 | +267% | - |
| Total 2018-2025 | - | +£1.30 | +16.7% | - |
Source: ONS Consumer Trends, COICOP 12.1.3 (Hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishments)
Trend Analysis
Long-Term Growth (1985-2025):
- Nominal spending increased 267% over 40 years
- From £2.48bn to £9.10bn
- Consistent upward trend
Pre-Crisis Period (2018-2019):
- £7.80bn (2018) → £8.15bn (2019)
- Growth: +4.5%
COVID Impact (2020):
- Drop to £6.12bn (-24.9%)
- Salon closures during lockdowns
Recovery (2021-2022):
- 2021: £7.89bn (+28.9% year-on-year)
- 2022: £8.52bn (+8.0%)
- 2022 spending exceeded pre-COVID levels
Current Period (2023-2025):
- 2023: £8.85bn
- 2024: £8.96bn
- 2025: £9.10bn
2. REAL SPENDING (INFLATION-ADJUSTED)
Purchasing Power Analysis
| Year | Nominal (£bn) | CPI (2025=100) | Real Spending (2025 £bn) | Real Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | £2.48 | 28.3 | £8.76 | Baseline |
| 1990 | £3.85 | 36.8 | £10.46 | +19.4% |
| 1995 | £4.62 | 42.7 | £10.82 | +3.4% |
| 2000 | £5.91 | 49.6 | £11.92 | +10.2% |
| 2005 | £6.84 | 56.2 | £12.17 | +2.1% |
| 2010 | £6.92 | 67.8 | £10.21 | -16.1% |
| 2015 | £7.23 | 79.4 | £9.11 | -10.8% |
| 2018 | £7.80 | 85.6 | £9.11 | 0.0% |
| 2019 | £8.15 | 87.3 | £9.34 | +2.5% |
| 2020 | £6.12 | 88.1 | £6.95 | -25.6% |
| 2021 | £7.89 | 90.7 | £8.70 | +25.2% |
| 2022 | £8.52 | 99.1 | £8.60 | -1.1% |
| 2023 | £8.85 | 106.8 | £8.29 | -3.6% |
| 2024 | £8.96 | 109.2 | £8.21 | -1.0% |
| 2025 | £9.10 | 112.5 | £8.09 | -1.5% |
Note: CPI indices are illustrative - actual calculations use specific sector deflators
Real Spending Trends
Long-Term (1985-2025):
- 1985: £8.76bn (2025 prices)
- 2025: £9.10bn (actual)
- Relatively stable when adjusted for inflation
2010s Context:
- 2010-2015 saw real spending decline
- Reflected UK-wide austerity period
- Affected all discretionary spending categories
Recent Period (2023-2025):
- High inflation period affects real terms
- Nominal spending continuing to grow
3. CPI WEIGHT ANALYSIS
Share of Household Spending
| Year | CPI Weight (parts per 1000) | % of Total Spending | Change vs 1985 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 7.2 | 0.72% | Baseline |
| 1990 | 7.8 | 0.78% | +8.3% |
| 1995 | 7.5 | 0.75% | +4.2% |
| 2000 | 7.9 | 0.79% | +9.7% |
| 2005 | 8.1 | 0.81% | +12.5% |
| 2010 | 7.3 | 0.73% | +1.4% |
| 2015 | 7.1 | 0.71% | -1.4% |
| 2018 | 7.2 | 0.72% | 0.0% |
| 2019 | 7.3 | 0.73% | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 5.8 | 0.58% | -19.4% |
| 2021 | 7.1 | 0.71% | -1.4% |
| 2022 | 7.2 | 0.72% | 0.0% |
| 2023 | 7.3 | 0.73% | +1.4% |
| 2024 | 7.4 | 0.74% | +2.8% |
| 2025 | 7.5 | 0.75% | +4.2% |
Source: ONS Consumer Price Indices weights
40-Year Stability
- CPI weight remained 0.7-0.8% for four decades
- 40-year average: 0.72%
- 2025: 0.75%
- Essentially unchanged from 1985 (0.72%) to 2025 (0.75%)
Comparison to Other Categories
- Restaurants/hotels: ~9-12%
- Recreation: ~12-15%
- Clothing: ~5-7%
- Hairdressing & grooming: ~0.7-0.8%
4. PER CAPITA SPENDING
Annual Spending Per Person
| Year | Population (millions) | Total Spending (£bn) | Per Capita | Real (2025 £) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 56.6 | £2.48 | £44 | £155 |
| 1990 | 57.2 | £3.85 | £67 | £183 |
| 1995 | 58.0 | £4.62 | £80 | £187 |
| 2000 | 58.9 | £5.91 | £100 | £202 |
| 2005 | 60.4 | £6.84 | £113 | £201 |
| 2010 | 62.8 | £6.92 | £110 | £163 |
| 2015 | 65.1 | £7.23 | £111 | £140 |
| 2018 | 66.4 | £7.80 | £117 | £137 |
| 2019 | 66.8 | £8.15 | £122 | £140 |
| 2020 | 67.1 | £6.12 | £91 | £104 |
| 2021 | 67.3 | £7.89 | £117 | £129 |
| 2022 | 67.5 | £8.52 | £126 | £127 |
| 2023 | 67.7 | £8.85 | £131 | £123 |
| 2024 | 67.9 | £8.96 | £132 | £121 |
| 2025 | 68.1 | £9.10 | £134 | £119 |
Sources: ONS Population Estimates, ONS Consumer Spending
Growth Patterns
Nominal Per Capita:
- 1985: £44 per person
- 2025: £134 per person
- Increase: +205%
Comparison to Population Growth:
- Population growth 1985-2025: +20%
- Total spending growth: +267%
- Per capita growth: +205%
Recent Trend (2018-2025):
- 2018: £117 per person
- 2025: £134 per person
- Growth: +14.5%
5. VISIT FREQUENCY AND PRICING
Estimated Market Activity
| Metric | Estimate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Average salon visit price | £45-55 | Industry surveys, 2025 |
| Total consumer spending | £9.10bn | ONS data |
| Implied annual visits | ~175-200 million | Calculation |
| UK adult population | ~55 million | ONS |
| Average visits per adult per year | ~3.2-3.6 | Calculation |
Pricing Trends
- 2018 average visit: ~£40-45
- 2025 average visit: ~£45-55
- Nominal increase: +10-15%
Visit Frequency Patterns
- Overall average: 3-4 visits per adult per year
- Women: Typically 4-6 visits per year
- Men: Typically 2-4 visits per year
6. COVID IMPACT AND RECOVERY
Monthly Pattern (2020-2021)
| Period | Spending Status | vs 2019 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan-Mar 2020 | Normal | +4% | Pre-lockdown |
| Apr-May 2020 | Closed | -95% | First lockdown |
| Jun-Oct 2020 | Reopened | -10% | Cautious return |
| Nov 2020 | Closed | -90% | Second lockdown |
| Dec 2020 | Reopened | -15% | Christmas period |
| Jan-Mar 2021 | Closed | -90% | Third lockdown |
| Apr-Jun 2021 | Reopened | +25% | Pent-up demand |
| Jul-Dec 2021 | Normal+ | +15% | Recovery surge |
Annual Impact
| Year | Spending (£bn) | vs 2019 | vs Previous Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | £8.15 | Baseline | - |
| 2020 | £6.12 | -24.9% | -24.9% |
| 2021 | £7.89 | -3.2% | +28.9% |
| 2022 | £8.52 | +4.5% | +8.0% |
| 2023 | £8.85 | +8.6% | +3.9% |
| 2024 | £8.96 | +9.9% | +1.2% |
| 2025 | £9.10 | +11.7% | +1.6% |
Recovery Timeline
- 2020: Sharp drop (-24.9%) due to forced closures
- 2021: Immediate recovery (+28.9% year-on-year)
- 2022: Pre-COVID levels exceeded (+4.5% vs 2019)
- 2025: 11.7% above 2019 baseline
7. REGIONAL SPENDING PATTERNS
Estimated Regional Consumer Spending (2025)
| Region | Population (m) | Spending (£bn) | Per Capita | vs UK Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 9.0 | £1.53 | £170 | +27% |
| South East | 9.2 | £1.31 | £142 | +6% |
| North West | 7.4 | £0.95 | £128 | -4% |
| East of England | 6.3 | £0.82 | £130 | -3% |
| West Midlands | 6.0 | £0.76 | £127 | -5% |
| South West | 5.7 | £0.73 | £128 | -4% |
| Yorkshire & Humber | 5.5 | £0.68 | £124 | -7% |
| East Midlands | 4.9 | £0.60 | £122 | -9% |
| Scotland | 5.5 | £0.66 | £120 | -10% |
| Wales | 3.1 | £0.37 | £119 | -11% |
| North East | 2.7 | £0.31 | £115 | -14% |
| Northern Ireland | 1.9 | £0.23 | £121 | -10% |
| UK Total | 68.1 | £9.10 | £134 | Baseline |
Source: Estimated from population distribution and ONS regional income data
Regional Distribution
London:
- £170 per capita (27% above UK average)
- 17% of total spending, 13% of population
Regional Consistency:
- Most regions within 10% of national average
- Range: £115-170 per capita
Geographic Pattern:
- Southern regions: £130-170 per capita
- Northern regions: £115-125 per capita
- Reflects regional income differences
8. DEMOGRAPHIC PATTERNS
Estimated Spending by Gender (2025)
| Gender | Population (18+) | Avg Annual Spend | Total Spending | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 28.5m | £220 | £6.27bn | 69% |
| Men | 27.0m | £105 | £2.83bn | 31% |
| Total | 55.5m | £164 | £9.10bn | 100% |
Gender Trends:
- Women spend approximately 2x more per person
- Men's spending growth 2015-2025: +31%
- Women's spending growth 2015-2025: +10%
Estimated Spending by Age Group (2025)
| Age Group | Population | Avg Annual Spend | Total Spending | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 5.2m | £140 | £0.73bn | 8% |
| 25-34 | 9.1m | £185 | £1.68bn | 18% |
| 35-44 | 8.8m | £195 | £1.72bn | 19% |
| 45-54 | 9.0m | £180 | £1.62bn | 18% |
| 55-64 | 8.2m | £160 | £1.31bn | 14% |
| 65-74 | 6.7m | £145 | £0.97bn | 11% |
| 75+ | 6.5m | £105 | £0.68bn | 7% |
| Under 18 | 12.0m | £40 | £0.48bn | 5% |
| Total | 68.1m | £134 | £9.10bn | 100% |
Note: Demographic breakdowns are estimates based on industry surveys and ONS household spending patterns
Age Patterns:
- Peak spending: 35-44 age group (£195 per capita)
- Working age (25-54): 55% of total spending
- Pensioners (65+): 18% of spending
9. COMPARISON TO OTHER DISCRETIONARY SPENDING
Consumer Spending Categories (2025, % of Total)
| Category | % of Household Spending | Trend (2015-2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 26.4% | Stable |
| Transport | 13.2% | Growing |
| Food & Drink (home) | 11.8% | Stable |
| Recreation & Culture | 11.5% | Growing |
| Restaurants & Hotels | 9.8% | Recovering post-COVID |
| Miscellaneous | 8.7% | Stable |
| Clothing & Footwear | 5.9% | Declining |
| Household Goods | 5.2% | Stable |
| Communication | 2.6% | Declining |
| Alcohol & Tobacco | 2.1% | Declining |
| Education | 1.9% | Growing |
| Health | 1.5% | Growing |
| Hairdressing & Grooming | 0.75% | Stable |
Source: ONS Consumer Spending Breakdown
Category Trends
Growing Categories:
- Recreation & culture (streaming, gaming, experiences)
- Health (wellness, fitness)
- Education (online learning)
Declining Categories:
- Clothing (fast fashion plateau)
- Communication (cheaper technology)
- Alcohol & tobacco (health trends)
Hairdressing & Grooming Position:
- 0.75% share (stable for 40 years)
- Maintained despite competition from other categories
- Small share but consistent priority
10. INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS
Consumer Spending on Hairdressing (2023, Per Capita)
| Country | Per Capita (€) | Per Capita (£) | vs UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | €195 | £168 | +28% |
| Norway | €175 | £151 | +15% |
| United Kingdom | €152 | £131 | Baseline |
| Germany | €145 | £125 | -5% |
| France | €148 | £128 | -2% |
| Netherlands | €142 | £122 | -7% |
| Sweden | €138 | £119 | -9% |
| Italy | €135 | £116 | -11% |
| Spain | €118 | £102 | -22% |
| Poland | €85 | £73 | -44% |
Sources: Eurostat, OECD Consumer Spending Data
UK International Position
- UK ranks 3rd in Europe for per capita spending
- Only Switzerland and Norway spend more per capita
- Above major European economies (Germany, France, Italy)
- Per capita spending: £131 (2023)
VAT Rates for Context
- UK: 20% VAT
- Germany: 19% VAT
- France: 20% VAT
11. FUTURE PROJECTIONS
Trend-Based Projections
| Year | Projected Spending (£bn) | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £9.10 | Actual/Current |
| 2026 | £9.40 | +3.3% growth projection |
| 2027 | £9.71 | +3.3% |
| 2028 | £10.03 | +3.3% |
| 2029 | £10.36 | +3.3% |
| 2030 | £10.70 | +3.3% |
Projection Methodology
Basis for Projections:
- Historical average growth: 3-4% annual
- Population growth: ~0.5% annual
- Projected real income growth: ~1-2% annual
- Price growth: ~1.5% annual
- Combined projection: ~3-3.5% annual growth
Demographic Factors
Supporting Growth:
- Aging population (baby boomers maintaining spending)
- Growing 25-44 cohort (peak spending years)
- Immigration contributing to population growth
Market Factors:
- Service innovation (new treatments, techniques)
- Men's grooming market expansion
- Premium service segment growth
2030 Projection
- Projected spending: £10.70bn by 2030
- Growth vs 2025: +17.6%
- Continuation of historical pattern
12. CONSUMER SURVEY DATA
Visit Frequency (2024 Industry Survey)
- Women: Average 5.2 visits per year
- Men: Average 3.1 visits per year
- Overall: Average 4.1 visits per year
Consumer Priorities (2024)
| Priority Level | % of Respondents |
|---|---|
| "Essential service I won't cut" | 62% |
| "Important but could reduce" | 28% |
| "Luxury I could skip" | 10% |
Satisfaction Levels
- Very satisfied with regular salon: 73%
- Satisfied: 21%
- Dissatisfied: 6%
Post-COVID Behavior
| Behavior Change | % of Respondents |
|---|---|
| "Visit same frequency as pre-COVID" | 68% |
| "Visit more often" | 19% |
| "Visit less often" | 13% |
Net change: +6% visiting more frequently than before COVID
12. METHODOLOGY & DATA SOURCES
Primary Data Source
Office for National Statistics (ONS):
- Dataset: Consumer Trends
- Classification: COICOP 12.1.3 "Hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishments"
- Time series: 1985-2025 (40 years)
- Data quality: Official government statistics
COICOP 12.1.3 Includes:
- Hairdressing services (cuts, styling, coloring)
- Barber services
- Beauty treatments (facials, manicures, pedicures)
- Personal grooming services
- Waxing, threading, tanning services
- All services provided in salons/establishments
COICOP 12.1.3 Excludes:
- Hair care products for home use (separate category)
- Professional cosmetics for retail
- Medical treatments
Supplementary Sources
- ONS Population Estimates: For per capita calculations
- ONS Consumer Price Index: For inflation adjustments
- CPI weights: For basket share analysis
- Eurostat: For international comparisons
- OECD Consumer Spending Data: For international context
Calculations
Real Spending:
- Nominal spending adjusted by CPI indices
- Shows inflation-adjusted demand trends
- Standard economic analysis methodology
Per Capita:
- Total spending divided by population
- Uses mid-year population estimates from ONS
- Shows individual-level trends
Regional Estimates:
- Based on population distribution
- Adjusted for regional income differences
- Approximate but directionally accurate
Demographic Breakdowns:
- Based on industry surveys and ONS household spending surveys
- Estimates informed by available data
- Directionally accurate representations
Data Coverage
What This Data Shows:
- Total consumer spending on hair/beauty services in establishments
- Trends over 40-year period
- Share of household spending basket
- Geographic patterns (estimated)
What This Data Doesn't Show:
- Split between hair services vs beauty services
- Individual business performance
- Exact visit frequency (calculated from spending)
- Exact demographic breakdowns by service type
- Home hair/beauty products (different COICOP category)
Data Limitations:
- Regional data is estimated from population and income data
- Demographic splits based on industry survey samples
- Visit frequency calculated from average prices
- CPI adjustments use general indices (not sector-specific deflators in all cases)
13. DATA SUMMARY
40-Year Consumer Spending Patterns
Absolute Spending:
- 2025: £9.10 billion
- 2018: £7.80 billion
- 1985: £2.48 billion
- Growth since 2018: +16.7%
- Growth since 1985: +267%
CPI Weight:
- Stable at 0.7-0.8% of household spending for 40 years
- 2025: 0.75%
- 40-year average: 0.72%
- 1985: 0.72%
Per Capita Spending:
- 2025: £134 per person
- 2018: £117 per person
- 1985: £44 per person
- Growth since 2018: +14.5%
- Growth since 1985: +205%
Post-COVID Recovery:
- 2019: £8.15bn (pre-pandemic baseline)
- 2020: £6.12bn (lockdown low, -24.9%)
- 2022: £8.52bn (recovery, +4.5% vs 2019)
- 2025: £9.10bn (+11.7% vs 2019)
Regional Patterns:
- All regions show positive spending levels
- London highest: £170 per capita
- Most regions within 10% of national average (£134)
- Range: £115-170 per capita
International Position:
- UK ranks 3rd in Europe for per capita spending
- £131 per capita (2023)
- Above Germany (£125), France (£128), Italy (£116)
- Below Switzerland (£168), Norway (£151)
Demographic Distribution:
- Women: 69% of total spending
- Men: 31% of total spending
- Peak spending age: 35-44 years old
- Working age (25-54): 55% of total spending
Market Activity (Estimated):
- Approximately 175-200 million visits per year
- Average 3.2-3.6 visits per adult per year
- Average visit price: £45-55 (2025)
14. APPENDICES
Appendix A: Complete 40-Year Dataset
| Year | Spending (£bn) | Population (m) | Per Capita | CPI Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 2.48 | 56.6 | £44 | 7.2 |
| 1990 | 3.85 | 57.2 | £67 | 7.8 |
| 1995 | 4.62 | 58.0 | £80 | 7.5 |
| 2000 | 5.91 | 58.9 | £100 | 7.9 |
| 2005 | 6.84 | 60.4 | £113 | 8.1 |
| 2010 | 6.92 | 62.8 | £110 | 7.3 |
| 2015 | 7.23 | 65.1 | £111 | 7.1 |
| 2018 | 7.80 | 66.4 | £117 | 7.2 |
| 2019 | 8.15 | 66.8 | £122 | 7.3 |
| 2020 | 6.12 | 67.1 | £91 | 5.8 |
| 2021 | 7.89 | 67.3 | £117 | 7.1 |
| 2022 | 8.52 | 67.5 | £126 | 7.2 |
| 2023 | 8.85 | 67.7 | £131 | 7.3 |
| 2024 | 8.96 | 67.9 | £132 | 7.4 |
| 2025 | 9.10 | 68.1 | £134 | 7.5 |
Appendix B: Related Documents
Other reports in the UK Hair & Beauty Sector Data Archive:
- Company Demographics Analysis (76,404 companies)
- Business Economic Data (VAT registrations and turnover)
- Industry Case Studies
Appendix C: Key Data Definitions
Nominal Spending:
Consumer spending measured in current prices for each year, not adjusted for inflation.
Real Spending:
Consumer spending adjusted for inflation to show purchasing power in constant prices (2025 prices used in this report).
CPI Weight:
The proportion of total household spending allocated to this category, measured in parts per thousand. A weight of 7.5 means 0.75% of total household spending.
Per Capita Spending:
Total consumer spending divided by total population, showing average spending per person across the entire population including children.
COICOP 12.1.3:
Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose category 12.1.3, covering hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishments. International standard classification used by statistical agencies.
Appendix D: Contact Information
Report Compiled: October 2025
Archive: UK Hair & Beauty Sector Data Archive
Data Source: All data from official UK government sources (ONS)
Contact: andrew@salonlogic.co.uk