Since the beginning of April 2007, there has been a 6% increase in the number of Spas* operating in the UK according to the newly published 2008 State of the UK Spa Industry Report. This report into spa sector growth, undertaken for SPATEC by The Leisure Database Company in March 2008, has revealed strong growth in the sector.
24 new spas have opened in the last 12 months since the inaugural State of the UK Spa Industry Report was launched at SPATEC 2007. These new spas are located throughout the UK and have provided an extra 173 treatment rooms to UK consumers for their spa experiences.
The majority of new spas that have opened are from chain operators in the hotel sector, although salon and day spa sectors have also seen some new spas opening.
The trend in new openings has been towards chain spas rather than single site or franchise operations.
David Minton, Director of The Leisure Database Company, says: “The spa sector is growing steadily and the hotel operators are recognising the opportunities to be gained from investing now. We believe, however, that there is plenty more consumer demand for spas at all the price points and expect to see further sustained growth in this sector.”
In addition, the report has identified 9 spas which have closed since the end of March 2007.
The closures are spread across chains, franchises and single sites and are not restricted to small spas.
The sector has also seen an increase in demand over the last 12 months. The estimated number of spa treatments purchased in the last year has increased by 4% to 6.35 million treatments per annum.
In recent years, more men have shown an interest in, and become consumers of, spa treatments. The research findings confirm this trend. UK spa operators estimate that their client bases comprise 76% female and 24% male clients. Interestingly, operators recognise that some male consumers still feel uncomfortable in a spa environment.
Spa consultant, Berni Hawkins, states “The public has more knowledge of spas than ever before, but many still question their value for money. Operators must therefore stop selling the features of spas and concentrate on the benefits they offer if they are to attract more users. By customising service and employing a strong consultation process, operators can increase their knowledge of the guest and offer truly prescriptive treatments and services. As a result, guests experience real value and spa becomes more of a lifestyle choice. For the industry, it means more guests, more revenue and more growth.”
The 2008 State of the UK Spa Report is available to purchase from The Leisure Database Company. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7379 3197. Web: www.theleisuredatabase.com
* For the purposes of this report a "Spa" is defined as follows:
"A Spa offers professionally supervised treatments, to enhance health, well-being and relaxation and has a minimum of five treatment rooms".
Notes:
Profile of Spa Industry
There are now 420 operational spas in the UK with 5 or more treatment rooms. A further 4 spas are temporarily closed for refurbishment.
4,814 therapists are employed throughout the spa industry. This represents an increase of some 243 therapists since April 2007 to manage the increasing demand at UK spas.
Contacts:
JENNY STANLEY, The Leisure Database Company, 33 Bedford Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9JE. Tel: 07765 403498. Email:
jenny@theleisuredatabase.com.
LAURA KETTLE, SPATEC/Promote PR, Down Place Lodge, Down Place, Water Oakley, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 5UG. Tel: 01753 740074 Email: laura@promotepr.com
About SPATEC
SPATEC is a 2-day forum of face-to-face meetings between UK and European spa owners, directors and senior personnel, with leading spa suppliers. The event brings together the key and most progressive spa operators from the UK and across Europe to meet with suppliers representing the biggest brands to new, niche and innovative products and services. In simple terms SPATEC gathers 180 top spa professionals together to their market understanding, meet, network and grow business opportunities.
The concept was created by McLean Events in 1996. McLean's formula provides for a series of highly focused industry forums for senior executives and leading suppliers from specific markets. Meeting in 5-star facilities, away from the distractions of the office and day to day operations, make these forums uniquely different. They are now regarded as the premier industry events within their respective markets.
McLean Events International organises meeting forums worldwide across five industry sectors: Health & Fitness, Hotel Management, Shipping, Conference & Incentive, Spa & Beauty.