Nature of the trade

Seasonality

Demand for the hairdresser's services may be affected by weather conditions. Expensive ladies' hair styles in particular may be least in demand when the weather is wet and windy. For this reason, many salons are busier during spring and summer than they are in the winter months.

Sales may also be boosted by an increase in the number of weddings during the spring and summer months (the traditional 'wedding season' runs from April/May to September/October).

Salons in tourist locations are likely to be particularly busy during the summer. Unseasonably poor summer weather might, however, severely depress sales.

December is also a busy time for many hairdressers, when clients often have their hair styled for the Christmas festive season. Some hairdressers experience an increase in demand during June and July, from clients who require a hair cut before going on holiday. Salons which undertake children's hairdressing may be particularly busy in late August and early September, prior to the start of the new school year.

Saturday is the busiest day of the week for many salons, when extra part time staff may be needed. Many salons report that mid morning and mid afternoon are the busiest times of the day, when 'impulse' customers with no appointment are most likely to call in. The efficient stylist might ensure that appointment slots on either side of these busy periods are filled first, in order to avoid bottlenecks and delays.

Monday is a particularly popular day of the week for undertaking staff training.