💇‍♀️ It’s Time to Price for Profit Not Comparison

For too long, the UK hairdressing industry has undervalued its craft. The data proves it the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showing that the average price of hairdressing services has not increased in line with inflation since 1984.

Meanwhile, every other cost including rent, wages, products, energy and insurance, has continued to rise. 

So why are so many salon owners still charging 1980s prices in a 2025 world?

✂️ Why We Don’t Raise Our Prices

Somewhere along the way, we’ve been conditioned to undervalue what we do.

We worry about losing clients.
We compare ourselves to the salon up the road.
We convince ourselves that staying “affordable” means staying busy.

But let’s be real:
That salon up the road could have completely different costs.
They might not employ staff.
They might not pay VAT.
They might even be trading under the radar while you’re running a compliant, fully employed business.

So why on earth would your pricing mirror theirs?

Here’s the truth that too many salon owners whisper about but rarely say out loud! 

You’re trying to compete in a market that’s stacked against you.

If you keep matching prices with others you’ll:
💸 Work behind the chair just to cover your overheads
💤 Burn yourself out trying to make ends meet
💔 Lose the love for your business

You can’t fix the system alone, but you can take control of your pricing.

Tesco Doesn’t Announce a Price Rise — So Why Should You?

When Tesco raises the price of bread, they don’t post an apology on social media. They do it because the cost of doing business has gone up — and your salon is no different.

You face rising costs every single month:

• Energy bills

• Wages and National Insurance

• Rent and rates

• Product costs

• Insurance and training

Yet too often, we hesitate to adjust our prices — as if we need permission.

Here’s the truth:
You’re not being greedy by charging properly — you’re being responsible.

Price for Profit, Not Panic

A salon that prices correctly isn’t just surviving.
It’s thriving.

Proper pricing funds:
✅ Fair wages and career pathways for your team
✅ Investment in training and sustainability
✅ Growth, innovation, and resilience
✅ A stable income for you, the owner

When you price for profit, you build a stronger business — one that can weather change, pay people properly, and still create beautiful work.

Stop Guessing — Start Calculating

If your prices aren’t built on real numbers, you’re running on guesswork.

Your pricing must reflect:

• Wages (including National Insurance & pension)

• Overheads (rent, energy, insurance, etc.)

• Product usage

• VAT

• Profit margin

If you don’t know your breakeven, you can’t know your profit.
And if you’re not pricing for profit — you’re working for free.

The Bottom Line

The era of “charge what feels fair” is over.

This is about charging what’s right — for your business, your team, and your future.

It’s time to stop apologising for being professional.
Stop comparing yourself to others.
Start pricing with purpose and confidence.

Because once you understand your numbers,
you take back control of your business, your time, and your worth.

Ready to Take Control?

Use the Salon Owners United Pricing Calculator — the only tool built specifically for employed salon owners in the UK.

✅ Understand your true costs
✅ Protect your profit margin
✅ Set confident, sustainable prices
✅ Be ready to react to budget for changes and wage increases

👉 Join Salon Owners United today to get full access to:

• The SOU Pricing Calculator

• Monthly Business Clinics

• Budget Specials

• And a whole community of salon owners who truly get it.

Because Salon Ownership used to be lonely - not anymore.
Now, you’ve got the SOU community backing you every step of the way.

Take control now, check what your pricing should be with the SOU Salon Pricing Calculator 

1-click purchase: SOU Pricing Calculator 2025 on SOU Salon Pricing Calculator

You can also JOIN the UKs largest salon owner network, where we are building STRONGER businesses TOGETHER