Business · Economy · 1 hr ago
Beauty businesses make up nearly a third of UK retail-centre leisure sites
Beauty salons and personal-care shops make up nearly a third of leisure sites in UK retail centres.
In smaller local centres, they account for more than 35% of those sites, and hair and beauty salons alone make up about a fifth.
The UK has more than 190,000 beauty and personal-care sites, with 39% outside large cities.
Greater London has the most sites overall, but several regions have more per resident.
The figures come as consumer spending on beauty continues to grow: people surveyed spend an average of £27 a month on products and services.
The sector also has a wider economic role, employing around 422,000 people, according to an earlier study.
The findings suggest beauty businesses are an important part of local high streets and everyday life across the UK.
Beauty salons and shops make up almost a third of leisure sites across UK retail centres, according to a new report.
In smaller local centres, beauty businesses account for more than 35% of leisure and recreation sites.
Hair and beauty salons alone make up around a fifth of leisure sites in smaller high streets, the same share as pubs, bars and cafes combined.
The report counted more than 190,000 beauty and personal care sites across the UK, with 39% outside large cities.
A consumer survey found people spend an average of £27 a month on beauty products and services.
- Who
- Beauty salons, shops and other personal care businesses across the UK.
- What
- A report found they make up almost a third of leisure sites in UK retail centres, and a larger share in smaller local centres.
- When
- The report findings were reported on 11 October 2026.
- Where
- UK retail centres, including smaller local centres and high streets.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The report determines that beauty and personal care should be understood not simply as a consumer sector, but as part of the social and local infrastructure of everyday life in Britain, and as such must be safeguarded now and in the future.
has an impact in every postcode across the UK, from our homes to our high streets
The Value Of Beauty report found the sector employs around 422,000 people.
The Independent reported findings from the Impact Of Beauty report.
- UK beauty and personal care sites
- More than 190,000
- Sites outside large cities
- 39%
- Smaller local centres
- More than 35% of leisure and recreation sites are beauty businesses
- Average monthly beauty spending
- £27 per consumer
- Greater London sites
- Just under 25,000, around 13% of the national total
Sources
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