HIRING OUTLOOK
FOR 2017
It’s the talent and creativity of the people
who work in this industry that helps to
make it so special, and when it comes
to employment outlook, the results are
positive. Employee numbers across the
UK’s hair, beauty and barbering industry
have shown continued growth over the
past 12 months.
An overwhelming 93% of salons and
barbershops increased or maintained
full-time headcount in 2016, compared
to 89% the year before. A similar number
(94%) maintained or increased part-time
employee numbers, also up from 89% the
year before.
On average, each hair and beauty
business now employs three full-time and
two part-time members of staff. That’s
one more full-time and one more part-
time member of staff compared with the
year before, when headcount remained
broadly stable.
WIDESPREAD OPTIMISM
We’ve seen the average number of full-time
employees grow almost everywhere in the
UK, with the biggest increase of 1.9 in the
North West of England (taking the overall
average up to 3.3 people per salon in this
area). Northern Ireland was the only region
this year which saw a reduction in full-time
staff headcount; down to 1.9 on average,
compared with 3.9 the year before.
95%
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It’s a similar story for part-time staff.
Almost all regions increased the average
headcount number for part-time staff,
with Yorkshire and Humber registering
the most significant increase of 1.7.
LOOKING AHEAD
These positive hiring trends looks set to
continue well into 2017. A third of salons
told us they plan to grow headcount over
the next year, while two thirds intend to
keep headcount levels the same. Just 1%
plan to reduce employee numbers.
Our findings show that hair, beauty and
barbering professionals are likely to be
most in demand in the West Midlands
area, where over half (52%) of salons and
barbershops are looking to hire more
staff. Despite headcount reducing in
Northern Ireland in 2016, the future looks
more positive; 50% of salons in the region
plan to increase employee headcount
in 2017.
NUMBER OF FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES BY REGION -
– YEAR ON YEAR COMPARISON
HIRING INTENTIONS OVER
12 MONTHS – NEW JOBS
New jobs
REGION
2016 2017
13,951 16,738
AVERAGE UK EMPLOYEES
PER SALON
SALON
UK average
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
1.9 2.1 2.5 2.2 1.6 2.6
East 1.5 1.3 2.3 1.5 1 2.2
East Midlands 1.8 1.8 2.3 1.9 1.7 3.1
London 2.5 5.9 7.4 2.2 2.2 3.9
North East 1.6 2.2 1.9 1.5 1.2 2.4
North West 2 1.7 2.4 3.1 1.4 3.3
0.9 1.4 1.9 2.4 3.8 1.9
Northern Ireland
2015 2016 2017 Scotland 1.7 1.7 2 2.8 1.8 3
Full time staff 2 2 3 South East 2.3 2.3 1.7 2.6 1.4 2.9
Part time staff 2 1 2 South West 3.5 2.7 1.5 1.3 0.9 2.6
Wales 1.4 1.3 3 1.5 2 2.3
2 2.1 1.6 1.3 1.1 1.9
1.2 1.3 2.2 2.3 1.5 1.7
These findings could point to some
16,000* new salon job opportunities
in 2017, up almost 2,800 on last year.
And professionals take hiring for
these positions incredibly seriously;
qualifications are a top priority, with 95%
of salon managers saying these are vital
when considering their next hire.
of salon managers say qualifications are
vital for prospective employees
*Numbers based on Beautiful Britain findings and latest HABIA data for salon numbers
West Midland
Yorkshire & Humber
NUMBER OF PART-TIME EMPLOYEES BY REGION –
YEAR ON YEAR COMPARISON
REGION
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
UK average 1.5 1.5 2.3 1.9 1.3 2.1
East 1.7 1.1 1.8 1.9 1.3 1.9
East Midland s 1.1 1.1 2.4 1.7 1.1 2.6
London 1.5 1.9 6.3 1.8 1.8 2.8
North East 1.3 2.2 1.5 1.4 1 1.7
North West 1.2 1.7 2 2.9 0.7 2.2
Northern Ireland 1.7 1.8 2.4 1.1 1.9 1.7
Scotland 1.7 1.2 1.4 2.4 2 1.7
South East 2.4 1.6 1.8 2 1.3 2
South West 1.6 1.4 1.8 1 1.3 1.9
Wales 1.5 0.9 2 1.7 1 2.5
West Midland 1.3 1.6 1.5 1.8 1.3 1.6
Yorkshire & Humber 1.4 1.6 1.6 2.2 0.7 2.4
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