The Health and Beauty Spa Industry

Spending on spa products and services had been growing in line with a growing middle class, booming wellness tourism industry and interest in healthy living and stress reduction. However, the coronavirus lockdown and travel restrictions have effectively stopped travel and tourism, which will have serious implications for the tourism and spa industries. The lockdown has seen all spas in South Africa close their doors. Many spas and beauty salons had already closed prior to the lockdown in order to protect their staff and customers. As an industry that comes into direct, close contact with the public, the spa industry will experience significant losses, even after the virus is contained, as customers may continue to exercise social distancing.

New Trends

Spas have responded to a rising need for mental wellness, stress reduction and improved health with additional services such as nutritional assessments, counselling, holistic personal wellness plans and coaching. Wellness tourism grew faster than other tourism, and there has been an increasing interest in alternative treatments such as yoga, reiki, mindfulness sessions and sound, light and water therapy. More spas were also offering medical aesthetics treatments, which include micro-needling, chemical peels, laser and intense pulsed light treatments. Other trends include demand for tandem or group sessions and mobile spas.

Opportunities for SMEs

There are many franchise and entrepreneurial opportunities in the sector including nail bars and mobile spas which have been growing in popularity at company events and wellness days as well as by people who prefer to have these treatments at home. Manufacturing and selling product ranges to spas and other retail outlets is an opportunity for SMEs.

Report Coverage

This report focuses on the Health and Beauty Spa Industry including the latest trends and developments and factors that influence the sector. There are profiles of 25 companies including national chains and franchises such as Mangwanani, Amani, Africology Imbalie and Sorbet. There are also profiles of hotels that operate in the sector such as the Mount Nelson and One and Only.