Beauty services boost social connections and economies
A study released by the British Beauty Council examines how beauty services strengthen community bonds and boost local economies. The research, The Impact of Beauty: Revealing Its Social, Cultural and Economic Value, was developed by Oxford Economics in collaboration with L’Oréal Group.
Research published by the British Beauty Council merges location-based analysis of UK retail areas with a YouGov poll of 2,116 adults carried out in July 2026. The release aligns with British Beauty Week, taking place nationally between 12 and 25 October and themed “The Impact of Beauty”.
Beauty and Social Connection
The data shows that beauty businesses play a significant role in social connection, as one in five frequent users see visits to a barber, nail technician or beauty therapist as one of the few occasions each week when they interact with other people. Among frequent users, 44% said they had shared a meaningful conversation with a personal care provider in the previous six months.
Additionally, 42% of respondents indicated they had discussed personal concerns or major life developments during appointments. Although these results rely on participant feedback and do not quantify isolation directly, they highlight the communal aspect of routine grooming sessions.
High Street Spending
The study identifies around 191,200 beauty and personal care venues throughout the UK, including hairdressers, barbers, spas, cosmetic clinics, pharmacies, department stores, and supermarkets. Over half of those surveyed had their latest haircut or beauty treatment on a high street or in a city center.
86% of respondents stated that the appointment was the primary reason for their visit. Half of these trips also generated additional spending at nearby shops, cafés and restaurants. On smaller local high streets, personal care businesses account for more than 35% of leisure businesses.
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The Value of Beauty
The report further emphasizes the value consumers place on personal care, with spending on it ranked above gym memberships, streaming subscriptions and dining out. Just 7% of respondents view personal care products and services purely as a “treat”, suggesting they are widely regarded as an essential part of everyday life.
Adults in the UK dedicate roughly 13 minutes daily to grooming rituals, with over half applying skincare products regularly. Monthly expenditure averages £27, increasing to £35 for frequent patrons.
The findings also point to the perceived emotional benefits of personal care. Three-quarters of frequent users said it had a positive effect on how they felt about themselves, while 52% reported an improvement in mood and 48% said it helped them feel more resilient.
Millie Kendall OBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council, said that beauty businesses and professionals play a significant role in communities across Britain, contributing to wellbeing, community connection and the vitality of the UK high street. British Beauty Week opens today, 12 October, with Industry Day in Covent Garden, London.
Among the scheduled events is a Tatcha skincare demonstration at Space NK’s Duke of York location, led by neuroscientist Dr Claudia Aguirre and dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite. Lookfantastic will host similar in-store gatherings in Bristol and Altrincham.
