2023 has been a challenging year for the hairdressing industry. It all started with the pandemic that hit us in 2020, followed by the energy crisis and general inflation. It is difficult to recover from such historic crises. To make matters worse, competition has been increasing in recent years, making it difficult to recruit people in the industry. All these issues are testing the resilience of many hair salons. In this article, we will analyse the hair styling crisis and offer our best solutions.
As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the hairdressing industry hard. There were numerous temporary closures that put many salons in a difficult position, followed by restrictions that prevented you from doing your job properly. Some of your clients even started turning to DIY solutions and began styling their hair themselves. The abundance of online tutorials, supermarket box dyes, and readily available styling tools didn’t help the already fragile situation for hair salons.
In addition, according to UNEC (the National Union of Hairdressing Businesses), there are now over 100,000 salons in France, compared to 85,000 just five years ago. Many low-cost salon chains have grown in popularity, in a world where consumers are constantly seeking the lowest prices—especially in times of inflation.
We’re all affected by inflation, and it’s currently one of the biggest drivers of this hairdressing crisis. More and more clients are turning to budget-friendly alternatives: cutting their own hair, doing their own coloring, or choosing one of the many “low-cost” chains.
On your end, inflation is hitting at the heart of your business. You’re facing rising living costs and soaring energy prices. In Belgium, the energy crisis has been even more severe. Some salons have seen their bills triple or even quadruple. These financial difficulties spare no one and make it incredibly hard to operate properly. Many salons have even been forced to close their doors permanently.
For those who want to keep growing, the road isn’t any easier. Hiring has become a real challenge, with fewer and fewer candidates available. Recruiting can quickly become a long and fruitless process.
So, how can a struggling hair salon find light at the end of the tunnel?
To recover from financial difficulties and be among the salons that stay afloat during these challenging times, there aren’t a million solutions: you need to keep your business running and make a living. Simply hoping the crisis will pass isn’t realistic, as a business owner, you’ll need to take charge and steer your ship forward. Cutting costs can help in the short term, but the real and lasting solution lies in increasing your revenue. You need to attract clients, retain them, and find ways to grow your turnover.
At Hairborist, we offer several strategies to help you stand out, differentiate yourself from other salons, attract and keep clients, and ultimately increase your revenue to get through this. Here’s how.
One way is to embrace the digital world and use social media to promote your services, share tips, and build a close connection with your clients. More and more people are influenced by the digital presence of the places they visit. This also allows you to reach an entirely new audience that may discover your salon online!
To stand out from the competition, it’s crucial to diversify your services. Why not redecorate your salon or introduce an innovative new concept? By adding something unique and complementary to your offering, you attract new clients and set yourself apart. Plus, it helps build loyalty, once they’ve had that experience, they won’t want to go elsewhere.
At Hairborist, we offer your clients tailor-made, natural and organic hair care treatments, along with plant-based hair coloring, a must-have alternative to chemical dyes. More than just a color, it’s a natural treatment that tints the hair while respecting their health. Few salons are offering this today, now is the time to innovate and stand out!
But concretely, how can you overcome the salon crisis by diversifying your services? What kind of innovative concept can you offer?
Hairborist allows you to offer services that truly set you apart from a conventional hair salon. More than just hair products, our care range helps you introduce a new approach to hairdressing, one focused on well-being. By adopting our bio-concept, you give your clients the chance to enjoy a timeless moment of relaxation, just for themselves. You’re no longer just a hair salon, you’re so much more than that. Thanks to a complete and in-depth care protocol, you bring a sense of wellness and serenity into your salon, transforming it into a true hair spa.
At Hairborist, this well-being concept is embodied above all in our complete, 100% tailor-made oil treatment. We offer two base oils that you can personalize by adding Aromactifs, essential oils chosen specifically to target your client’s unique hair and scalp needs. While the oils are working their magic, your client feels pampered and relaxed, a truly luxurious experience.
As you’ve seen, adopting the Hairborist concept means offering something unique and innovative. Competition only exists when everyone provides the same services or sells the same products. With our premium wellness concept, you offer your clients something truly different, and that means: no direct competition.
You step out of the “lowest price wins” cycle because your pricing no longer needs to match what other salons offer. You can confidently charge a fair price that reflects the high-quality, value-rich experience you provide. These prestigious services allow you to raise your prices legitimately — and naturally grow your turnover.
You’ll also attract a new clientele, people who are willing to pay more for a well-being experience that goes beyond just a haircut or color. And that’s how you start to move out of the hairdressing crisis.
In a world of increasing competition, it’s more important than ever to stand out and offer innovative concepts to your clients. Hair salons that are struggling today are often still feeling the aftermath of COVID-19 and are now being hit hard by inflation. That’s why finding concrete, creative, and strategic solutions that respond to evolving client needs is urgent. The best way to stand out is to innovate and Hairborist is here to help you do just that.
Alongside our relaxing, plant-based bio-concept, you’ll benefit from ongoing support and training throughout the year with our expert advisors. This is a true advantage to stay ahead of trends, sharpen your skills, and keep evolving.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for more information. We’re here to help!
