Report finds beauty industry boosts high-street spending

The latest research from the British Beauty Council has revealed that the beauty industry contributes to much more than economics – it supports local high streets, social connection and wellbeing.

A new report, The Impact of Beauty: Revealing Its Social, Cultural and Economic Value, reveals that more than half of high-street appointments result in additional town-centre spend.

These findings suggest the value of salons extends way beyond their own treatment revenue, helping to generate additional economic activity for surrounding local businesses.

The report was launched on Industry Day, as part of British Beauty Week, which began on October 12.

Looking beyond the standard metrics, the beauty industry also helps to tackle loneliness across the UK. It improves personal wellbeing, enables human connection and acts as a powerful, daily anchor for mental health and resilience.

How people feel, connect and participate

Compiled by Oxford Economics and supported by L’Oréal Groupe, the report builds on earlier findings, which showed the UK beauty industry contributed £28.3bn to GDP and supported 595,000 jobs in 2025.

While huge, these numbers don’t tell the whole story, which is why the Council commissioned the Impact of Beauty report, to further understand what beauty enables.

Speaking exclusively to European Spa, British Beauty Council CEO Millie Kendall said the industry’s contribution extends far beyond its financial value.

“The report confirms the positive impact beauty makes to wellbeing. Beauty is about how people feel, how they connect and how they participate in everyday life,” Kendall said.

“From the confidence to walk into a room to the high-street visit that supports another local business, beauty is enabling things that matter.

“Beauty and personal care are part of the social and local infrastructure of everyday life in Britain, and as such must be safeguarded now and in the future.”

The true impact of beauty

The findings reveal that, for 86 per cent of consumers, a hair or beauty appointment was their primary reason for visiting a town centre.

On smaller local high streets, personal care makes up more than 35 per cent of leisure businesses. That matches the combined share of pubs, bars and cafés. Spas, saunas, wellness services and massage are among more than 50 categories the research counts.

Respondents confirm that only 7 per cent see beauty services and products as merely a treat, prioritising spending in this category above gym memberships, streaming subscriptions and eating out.

Connection and confidence

For one in five frequent users, a visit to a barber, nail technician or beauty therapist is one of the few times in a week they interact with other people. Among men aged 18-24 this rises to 42 per cent.

“We need to share this with local government representatives and add that we are also great for the nation’s wellbeing,” Kendall said. “I often say we are more than you can see on a spreadsheet. We benefit everyday lives and show up in every postcode.”

Kendall is urging businesses to invite their local MPs in “to come and see what they do, hear the positive stories and recognise the challenges facing businesses of today.

“This gives you the opportunity to show that not only are we an economic powerhouse but a cultural and social one too.”

Getting involved

Membership of the British Beauty Council is free.

“We aren’t a trade body. We are supported by businesses but we serve the entire beauty community,” Kendall explained. “Brands rely on spas and salons to use and sell their products, and you are businesses that hold an enormous amount of value to our overall ecosystem.

“We work for you, we take your concerns to government, where we champion trade, skills and innovation.”

British Beauty Week runs from  October 12-25. Businesses can ask for the campaign toolkit by emailing bbw@britishbeautycouncil.com.

The full Impact of Beauty Report can be downloaded here.

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