A recent article by Tiffany Hsu in the LA Times suggests that recent increases in hair salon visits signals an economic recovery. Homespun logic produces the equation of "better hair equals a better economy."
Beauty salon sales grew at a nearly 5.4% rate the last two years, compared with a 2.3% increase in 2009. The consumer's return to salons is supposed to reflect the consumer's increased ability to pay for this service from their discretionary income but in reality there may be other factors such as price discounting causing the increase.
"A Professional Beauty Assn. index tracking the industry’s health and outlook reached record highs last year, with 57% of salon owners saying they saw a same-store sales increase between the first quarters of 2010 and 2011."
