Nail & beauty salons among top retailers boosting high streets

Independent beauty and grooming services are reinvigorating British high streets, according to data analysed by SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) insurance provider, Superscript.

The data, sourced from Local Data Company, has identified the UK’s top growing independent retail categories, by examining changes in net units over the past five years.

Beauty dominates the top 5 of these retail categories, with barbers growing the most in number since 2017 and beauty and nail salons placing in the second and fifth spots for net unit growth over that time.

Alongside this data, in a survey of shoppers by Superscript, over half of Britons revealed that they are more likely to visit a health and beauty shop than any other type of independent retailer on the high street.

1 in 4 Brits said that hairdressers, barbers and salons will continue to bring them to the high street, despite the rising cost of living.

This can be attributed to a sense of loyalty to beauty professionals (commented on by 37% of those surveyed) and the chance to have a chat (commented on by 33%), as more people prioritise community and knowing staff on a personal level. 92% of Britons also revealed they are keen to support independent retailers by backing government and council initiatives like rent subsidiaries, tax relief and low interest-rate business loans.

Cameron Shearer, CEO at Superscript, comments: “Local independent retailers are the future of our high streets. Our study found that, despite the increasing cost of living, 66% of Brits are continuing to go to the high street primarily to support local business owners.

“This suggests that the longevity and future of the high street depends on the human connection that retailers can foster with the public. This is why local independents – like barbershops and beauty salons – are best placed to thrive, while chain department stores will have to find other ways to appeal.”

See more of the data here.