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Optimism and Expansion: Where Beauty Leaders Are Focused Next

Our Most Compelling Data:

85%

of beauty professionals are more optimistic about their business today than they were 12 months ago.

80%

of beauty leaders plan to expand the number of retail items or services offered over the next 12 months.

Many beauty business leaders are thinking about their next location. Are you?

It’s true what they say: When you look good, you feel good.

And beauty business leaders are taking this to heart. When asked about their optimism about the future compared to a year ago, the results were overwhelmingly positive: 32% of beauty leaders said they were much more optimistic, while 53% said they were somewhat more optimistic.

That’s a more upbeat outlook than any other industry we surveyed. This group of generally bullish beauty business leaders are also looking to make long-term plans, with 72% saying they hope to expand their number of business locations.

A majority of beauty leader respondents said they anticipated expanding in the following areas over the next 12 months:
Number of retail items, menu items, or services offered	80%
Investment in an online store presence	81%
Investment in a loyalty or rewards program	81%
Investment in a mobile app	79%
Number of pickup or delivery options (e.g., buy online, pick up in-store; third-party delivery options)	78%
Number of payments integrations	78%
Number of supplementary items	77%
Employee headcount	76%
Number of business locations	72%
Increase in prices	71%

Key takeaway:

Your peers and competitors say they’re ready to make moves in 2025. Industry leaders tell us they’re considering big long-term investments – such as opening new shops or investing in online stores – despite the pullback in spending we noted at the start of this report. If you haven’t yet, it’s time to think about your business’s next big step as consumers find their footing more and more in this economy. This way you’ll be better positioned when they start to spend more.

Pro tip:

As beauty leaders look to expand, investing in the right beauty management software is key to maintaining efficiency and long-term growth. Look for an all-in-one platform that helps you run all sides of your business so you can focus on your goals.