Insider

Our exclusive monthly benchmarking stats for each sector of the market

Insider beauty

As UK salons make preparations to reopen, you are looking closely at your health and safety protocols, as well as making necessary changes to ensure your business adheres to the Government’s social distancing rules (which from July 4 is “one metre-plus”).

Sourcing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) has been crucial, but more than a third of you (36%) have found it tough to get your hands on face masks and a quarter (25%) gloves – with both either being too expensive or not available to order in the quantity you need. Some business owners (39%) have had to apply for a loan during lockdown – such as the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme – to help their salon survive the pandemic.

We also asked what treatments you were nervous about performing when you reopen, from a social distancing point of view, and facials came out top, with more than half (65%) worried about the close contact needed during this treatment. Full-body massage (31%) and a brow shape and tint (31%) also rank highly on this list.

M&S

On the spot

Which aesthetic treatment is most popular with clients? 1. Microdermabrasion (25%) 2. Chemical peels (22%) 3. Microneedling (12%) 4. Laser (8%) 5. Body-contouring (2%)

27 %

have a VIP club for their most loyal clients

Which treatments are you nervous about performing when you reopen? 1. Facial (65%) 2. Brow shape/tint (31%) 3. Massage (31%) 4. Lash extensions/lift (30%) 5. Waxing (15%)

Take part in our Insider feature

Which PPE item have you found it difficult to source prior to reopening? 1. Face masks (36%) 2. Gloves (25%) 3. Screen protectors (8%) 4. Face shields (6%) 5. Other (15%)

39 %

have applied for a loan (e.g. Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme) during lockdown

Which skincare conditions would you like your team to train in? 1. Adult acne (40%) 2. Sun damage (34%) 3. Pigmentation (32%) 4. Menopause (31%) 5. Rosacea (31%)

Insider spa

With clients eagerly awaiting the time when they can come back to your spa for some rest and relaxation, many want to know about the safety protocols you’re putting in place and your hygiene policy. As a result, most of you have been stocking up on PPE such as face shields and gloves, but you’re finding it difficult to source the right face masks (29%) or screen protectors (19%) due to availability and price increases.

Although many of your therapists are raring to return to work, it’s not surprising that more than three quarters (81%) are nervous about performing facials, a third (33%) massage and 29% waxing until they get clearer guidance from the Government on the social distancing measures that have to be met.

Being able to treat all skin conditions in your spa is a top priority, with many operators hoping to have their team take further training to better understand menopausal skin (38%), as well as pigmentation (38%), dermatitis (29%), adult acne and rosacea (both 24%).

Figleaves

On the spot

Which water facility is most popular with clients? 1. Jacuzzi (43%) 2. Hydrotherapy pool (19%) 3. Natural water pool (14%) 4. Experience showers (5%) 5. Plunge pool (5%)

33 %

have a VIP club for their most loyal clients

Which treatments are you nervous about performing when you reopen? 1. Facial (81%) 2. Massage (33%) 3. Waxing (29%) 4. Body scrub (24%) 5. Manicure/pedicure (10%)

Which PPE item have you found it difficult to source prior to reopening? 1. Face masks (29%) 2. Screen protectors (19%) 3. Face shield (14%) 4. Gloves (10%) 5. Other (28%)

48 %

have applied for a loan (e.g. Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme) during lockdown

Which skincare condition would you like your team to take further training on? 1. Menopausal (38%) 2. Pigmentation (38%) 3. Dermatitis (29%) 4. Adult acne (24%) 5. Rosacea (24%)

Insider nails

More than half of you (59%) think a gel-polish manicure is going to be the treatment clients book in for the most when you reopen, followed closely by a pedicure with lacquer polish (11%), which makes sense with summer in full swing. Interestingly, just under half (45%) are thinking about investing in nail desk shields for when you reopen to put both clients’ and techs’ minds at ease.

Many of you are also considering introducing a price increase to your nail treatment menu post-coronavirus lockdown, with 32% having last done one a year ago and 22% two years ago. One positive to come out of the pandemic is that nearly three quarters of you (73%) say the situation has made clients value the work you do more, and realise how important a professional treatment is for their overall wellbeing.

Keeping your social media channels updated with relevant content for your nail regulars has been crucial, and during lockdown advice on proper gel-polish removal (38%), pictures of how you’re prepping to reopen (28%) and a first look at the latest polish collections (15%) have been most popular.

River Island

On the spot

Which treatment do you think will be most popular when you reopen? 1. Gel-polish manicure (59%) 2. Pedicure with lacquer polish (11%) 3. Manicure with lacquer polish (7%) 4. Acrylic (7%) 5. Gel-polish pedicure (4%)

45 %

think nail desk shields are worth the investment

When was the last time you did a price increase on your nail menu? 1. One year ago (32%) 2. Two years (22%) 3. 18 months (15%) 4. Six months (13%) 5. Other (18%)

6%

of you have nail techs who’ve done session work

Which social media content has been most popular with clients during lockdown? 1. Guidance on proper gel-polish removal (38%) 2. Pics/videos on reopening preparations (28%) 3. Live videos on how your business is doing (21%) 4. Pics/videos of latest nail collections (15%) 5. Nail demos that clients can try at home (11%)

73 %

think lockdown has made clients value your work more

METHODOLOGY Insider is compiled from a monthly survey of spas and beauty salons. The people who participated represent a cross-section of the industry and were polled by email from June 4–11, regarding business for the month to May 31. Nail business for the Insider Nails page was calculated from data provided by salons that offer nail services among other treatments. The figures given represent the average score for each answer. Brands are ranked when mentioned by several respondents.