Spa Marketing > Strategies for Medi, Day Spa & Salon Professionals
7th June 2008
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Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Spa Industry TrendsCompiled by Rachel Stern
Special to the Signal.com
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According to a new nationwide government survey, 36 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 years and over use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM is defined as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. When prayer, specifically for health reasons, is included in the definition of CAM, the number of U.S. adults using some form of CAM in the past year rises to 62 percent.
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The survey, administered to over 31,000 representative U.S. adults, was conducted as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2002 National Health Interview Survey. Developed by NCCAM and the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, the survey included questions on 27 types of CAM therapies, including acupuncture and chiropractic, and herbs or botanical products, special diets, and megavitamin therapy.
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Overall, the survey revealed that CAM use was greater among a variety of population groups, including women; people with higher education; those who had been hospitalized within the past year; and former smokers.
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CAM approaches were most often used to treat back pain or problems, colds, neck pain or problems, joint pain or stiffness, and anxiety or depression. According to the survey, the 10 most commonly used CAM therapies and the approximate percent of U.S. adults using each therapy were:
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* Prayer for own health, 43 percent
* Prayer by others for the respondent’s health, 24 percent
* Natural products (such as herbs, other botanicals and enzymes), 19 percent
* Deep breathing exercises, 12 percent
* Participation in prayer group for own health, 10 percent
* Meditation, 8 percent
* Chiropractic care, 8 percent
* Yoga, 5 percent
* Massage, 5 percent
* Diet-based therapies, 4 percent.
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In addition the survey also found that:
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* 55 percent of adults said they were most likely to use CAM because they believed that it would help them when combined with conventional medical treatments
* 50 percent thought CAM would be interesting to try
* 26 percent used CAM because a conventional medical professional suggested they try it
* 13 percent used CAM because they felt that conventional medicine was too expensive.
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Interestingly, the survey also found that about 28 percent of adults used CAM because they believed conventional medical treatments would not help them with their health problem. This is in contrast to previous findings that CAM users are not, in general, dissatisfied with conventional medicine.
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- Source: The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a component of the National Institutes of Health
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2nd June 2008
New Spa Industry Benchmarks for Thailand
Spa Industry TrendsNew research on the Thai Spa Industry identified spa numbers have grown 154% since 2002, with 585 spas currently open and operating.
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The new Thailand Spa Benchmark Report, 2002-2010 features over 450 statistics including updated financial benchmarks covering revenue, visits and employment plus profile benchmarks detailing infrastructure, business models and treatments, with many of these benchmarks broken down by spa type.
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Valuable benchmark ratios such as daily revenue per spa, revenue per visitor and revenue per square metre are also included in the new report, in addition to current industry trends observed by spa owners and managers.
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Julie Garrow, Managing Director of Intelligent Spas stated “the Thai spa industry has experienced interesting change over the last five years. Total spa visits have increased steadily however average visits per spa have fluctuated year on year as supply increased. With employment and revenue experiencing strong growth rates, this report provides timely updates to enable businesses competing in and supporting the spa industry to benchmark and improve their performance as the industry continues to develop.”
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“The release of the Thai Spa Benchmark Report is another milestone in the growth and development of the Thai Spa industry. It is a true ground breaking document on the status of the spa industry in Thailand, highlighting the real state of health of our industry today. It is an essential benchmarking tool for every serious spa operator in the kingdom.” Andrew Jacka, President, Thai Spa Association.
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Key Industry Statistics:
- Of the 585 spas operating in Thailand, 51% were day spas and 49% were destination spas co-located with accommodation.
- The spa industry employed 11,240 people, a growth rate of 228% since 2002.
- 3,649,000 visitors experienced Thai spas during 2007.
- Spas collectively generated revenue of 8.3 billion Thai Baht (approximately USD263 million) in 2007, an increase of over 200% since 2002.
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Reference Source: Intelligent Spas, Thailand Spa Benchmark Report, 2002-2010
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About the Research:
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This is the third spa industry survey conducted in Thailand by Intelligent Spas and the report incorporates historical and forecast data for the period 2002 and 2010. The full report is available for immediate download from www.IntelligentSpas.com and is available in English and/or Thai.
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1st June 2008
New Spa Industry Benchmarks for Australia
Spa Industry TrendsNew research on the Australian Spa Industry identified spa numbers have grown 152% over the last five years.
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The new Australia Spa Benchmark Report 2002-2010 features over 450 statistics including updated financial benchmarks covering revenue, visits and employment plus valuable benchmark ratios such as daily revenue per spa, revenue per visitor and revenue per square metre.
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Current industry trends observed by spa owners and managers and new profile benchmarks detailing infrastructure, business models and treatments are also included in the report. Many of the benchmarks are available by spa type.
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Julie Garrow, Managing Director of Intelligent Spas stated “as the global economic situation changes, the need for businesses to focus on benchmarking and profitability has become essential.
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This timely release of high quality data from Intelligent Spas will allow businesses to fine-tune their operations for success in tougher economic times. This report combines the results of our latest survey with information collected during our previous three industry surveys to provide very reliable benchmarks and growth rates.”
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“As the Australian spa industry matures, Intelligent Spas new Australia Spa Benchmark Report is an invaluable resource for investors, developers and existing industry stakeholders. Awareness of accurate, current industry statistics and financial data is crucial to ensure that spa facilities both in planning and current operation are able to maximize profit potential, avoid potential risk factors and be relevant for today’s marketplace.
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The Australasian Spa Association (ASpa) thanks Intelligent Spas for their ongoing commitment to independent spa industry research and commends all industry participants for ensuring that this data is available for the benefit of all spa industry stakeholders.” Susanne Nelson, President, Australasian Spa Association.
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Key Industry Statistics:
- Of the 554 spas operating in Australia, 69% were day spas and 31% were destination spas co-located with accommodation.
- The spa industry employed 5,026 people during 2007, a growth rate of 78% since 2002.
- Annual spa visits grew by 15% over the last five years with 2,305,000 spa visits in 2007.
- Spas collectively generated revenue of 296 million Australian dollars (approximately USD271 million) in 2007, an increase of 136% since 2002.
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Reference Source: Intelligent Spas, Australia Spa Benchmark Report, 2002-2010
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About the Research:
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This is the fourth spa industry survey conducted in Australia by Intelligent Spas and the report incorporates historical and forecast data for the period 2002 and 2010. The full report is available for immediate download from www.IntelligentSpas.com. Research is also underway in over 35 other countries.
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29th May 2008
Global Spa Economy Estimated at $225 Billion A Year
Spa Industry TrendsGlobal Spa Economy Estimated at $225 Billion A Year According To First-Ever Study Unveiled at 2008 Global Spa Summit
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New York, NY (PRWEB) May 22, 2008 — The global spa economy is estimated to be over $250 billion, according to a major report unveiled this week at the 2008 Global Spa Summit in New York
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Prepared by SRI International on behalf of The Global Spa Summit, the first-ever Global Spa Economy Report represents the most comprehensive effort yet to quantify the rapidly expanding global spa industry. More than 220 industry leaders from around the world attended this year’s summit, which was highlighted by keynote speeches from hotelier Ian Schrager and Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th Surgeon General of the United States and Vice Chairman of Canyon Ranch.
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The report’s estimate, which looked at the year 2007, includes $60.3 billion in core spa industry revenues, such as spa facilities, capital investments, education, consulting, media, associations, and events, and $194 billion in spa-related hospitality, tourism, and real estate.
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When broader spa-related industries such as beauty, nutrition, and fitness were factored into the equation, last year’s global health and wellness market exceeded $1 trillion, according to the report. The one-year snapshot makes the spa sector one of the first industries to organize at a global level and analyze its own worldwide impact.
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The report also found that 1.2 million workers were employed in more than 71,600 spas worldwide in 2007. During the same period, capital investment in spas approached $13 billion, with continued expansion on the horizon.
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“The spa industry is growing at a breakneck pace, but its diversity and scope have always made it difficult to quantify its size and financial strength, as well as to harness the full power of its collaborative voice,” said SpaFinder CEO Pete Ellis, who also serves as the chairman of the board for the Global Spa Summit. “For the first time ever, this report shows decision-makers from investors to policymakers to the industry’s own leaders just how big the industry is, and how integral it is to the global economy.”
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In a breakdown of spa revenues by nation, the United States emerges on top, with earnings of more than $12 billion, followed by Japan ($5.7 billion) and Germany ($3.8 billion). The list continues with France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and China.
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The report’s findings derive from interviews with over 50 high-level industry executives; 1,000 responses to a global survey of industry sources; and data collected from more than 210 countries - ten times more than in previous spa industry reviews. The study defined spas as establishments that promote wellness through the provision of therapeutic and other professional services aimed at renewing body, mind, and spirit.
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The study was conducted by SRI International, a worldwide independent research firm originally founded as the Stanford Research Institute.
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The Global Spa Economy Report is available for purchase at research@globalspasummit.org. Members of the media can request an overview of survey highlights by contacting Scott Piro at scott@mkpr.com.
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About Global Spa Summit:
Global Spa Summit is an international organization dedicated to bringing together leaders and visionaries to shape the future of the global spa and wellness industry. Founded in 2006, the organization hosted the second-ever Global Spa Summit in New York City in May 2008, where top industry executives gathered to exchange ideas and advance industry goals, such as establishing a common language and understanding across regions and continents and creating uniform performance benchmarks for spas worldwide. Global Spa Summit was underwritten by Spa Finder, Inc., For more information, visit www.globalspasummit.org.
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28th May 2008
New New Zealand Spa Benchmark Report
Spa Industry TrendsSource: Intelligent Spas
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It is estimated that the total spa industry revenue in New Zealand has grown 72% over the last five years.
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The New Zealand Spa Benchmark Report 2002-2010 includes updated financial benchmarks for revenue and employment plus valuable benchmark ratios such as daily revenue per spa, revenue per square metre and employees per treatment room.
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Current industry trends observed by spa owners and managers and new profile benchmarks detailing infrastructure, business models and treatments are also included in the report. Many of the benchmarks are available by both the New Zealand industry average and by spa type for day spas.
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“This third survey of New Zealand spas found although the industry has grown overall in terms of spa numbers, employment and revenue, average annual revenue per spa has decreased over the last five years. The new financial benchmarks included in the report empower spas to accurately analyse the state of their business in comparison to the competitive marketplace and modify their operations to improve and maintain their performance” explained Julie Garrow, Managing Director of the independent research company, Intelligent Spas (www.IntelligentSpas.com).
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Felicity Turner, Director of New Zealand for the Australasian Spa Association stated “as an emerging spa destination, it is increasingly important New Zealand’s spa industry has regular updated information available. This latest publication from Intelligent Spas is essential reading for those involved in tourism, investment, development and hospitality, as well as all existing and new stakeholders within the spa, health and wellness industries. The new report serves as an essential benchmarking tool for current and potential spa operators within the country.”
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Key Industry Statistics:
- Spa numbers have grown 88% over the last five years.
- Of the 141 spas operating in New Zealand, 77% were day spas and 23% were destination spas co-located with accommodation.
- The spa industry employed 911 people during 2007, a growth rate of 37% since 2002.
- Spas collectively generated revenue of NZD65 million (approximately USD50 million) in 2007, an increase of 72% since 2002.
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Source: Intelligent Spas, New Zealand Spa Benchmark Report, 2002-2010
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About the Research:
This is the third spa industry survey conducted in New Zealand by Intelligent Spas and the report incorporates historical and forecast data for the period 2002 and 2010, in addition to the results of the 2007 survey. The full report is available for immediate download from www.IntelligentSpas.com. Research is also underway in over 35 other countries.
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28th May 2008
Health & Beauty set to be UK’s Fastest Growing Retail Sector
Spa Industry TrendsVerdict Research: Health & beauty set to be UK’s fastest growing retail sector in 2008
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London, May 21, 2008 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) — — Despite pressures on consumer spending in 2008 health & beauty will see its highest growth rate in a decade, fuelled by a greater number of male shoppers, price inflation and women’s search for eternally youthful looks, says Verdict Research in its latest report - UK Health & Beauty Retailers 2008.In 2007, consumer expenditure on health & beauty products rose by 4.7% to GBP15.6bn, outperforming total UK retail again - as it has done in every year since 2003. 2008 looks set to be even stronger with health & beauty taking the crown as the UK’s fastest growing retail sector.
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Brits are spending ever more money on looking and feeling good… including the men.
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In 2008 retail growth will slow as consumers’ disposable income is squeezed by higher mortgage costs, utility prices and transport costs. Combined with a slowdown in the housing market and lower consumer confidence, people are deferring expenditure on big ticket items and home improvement projects, which Verdict forecasts will leave total retail growth at just 2.8% for the year.
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Nevertheless, Verdict forecasts health & beauty market growth to increase, aided by people trading up to more expensive products in categories such as skincare. Indeed, with many consumers holding back from big ticket expenditures, there is room in the consumer purse for a greater proportion of smaller luxury purchases. As many premium beauty products claim improved benefits, yet are still relatively low cost, they are easier purchases for consumers to justify and are well placed to grow in 2008 and beyond.
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“In uncertain times people are still willing to spend money on making themselves look good and feel good,” says Carol Ratcliffe, Retail Analyst at Verdict Research and author of the report. “If you’re holding back from buying expensive items, there is more scope for smaller indulgences. Health & beauty products are ideal for this: it doesn’t cost much to treat yourself and even premium brands are relatively accessible.”
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Men are also investing more in their appearance, creating another driver of market growth. Total sales of men’s toiletries are forecast to grow by 7.7% in 2008 as wider availability and a better selection of brands and products encourage more men to try out new products.
Price inflation is another important factor following a year of rising raw material, manufacturing and transportation costs. Verdict expects these higher costs to be partly passed on to consumers in the majority of beauty categories, with inflation peaking in 2008 across the market as a whole.
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“Higher prices won’t put people off buying health & beauty items,” adds Ratcliffe. “Most of these products are seen as essential so the majority of people will be spending more this year on health & beauty - even if they aren’t interested in more advanced products.”
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17th December 2007
Skin Care Marketing Now Includes the Newest Skin Type – Sensitive Skin
Spa Industry TrendsDo you remember the days when there were only three skin types – normal, dry and oily?
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Somewhere along the line, ‘combination’ was added to the list to describe the oily forehead, nose and chin with cheeks still normal or dry. But a new skin type has entered the market: “sensitive skin.” Apparently, so many people have ‘sensitive skin,’ that it warranted being called a skin type. What is sensitive skin, and what skin care products and routines are necessary to keep it under control?
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Sensitive skin is usually described as skin that reacts easily, and negatively, to a variety of stimuli: soaps, household cleansers, deodorants, cosmetics, just about any skin care product, harsh weather, dryness, wetness – you name it. Skin care specialists recommend you test everything, preferably on a tiny part of your wrist or some invisible body part, before you use it on your hands, face or your entire body.
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But medical experts have a different name for ‘sensitive skin’: they call it ‘atopic dermatitis’ – a tendency to have allergic reactions such as redness, swelling, and itching to just about everything. Also, because the skin is damaged so easily, someone with sensitive skin is also more likely to develop eczema and bacterial or other infections.
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The question is: why has ‘sensitive skin’ become so common it is now considered a basic skin type? Chances are it is a reaction to our modern, industrialized, chemical- laden, polluted environment.
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You’ve probably heard of people developing sensitivities. You may have eaten strawberries all your life and, suddenly, you have an allergic reaction to strawberries. You may have been fine with a certain antibiotic and, suddenly, you have trouble breathing when you take it. Long-term exposure can sometimes have that effect.
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Is it any wonder that atopic dermatitis has become so prevalent that ‘sensitive skin’ is now a skin type?
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Okay, so what can you do about it? Start with your own household, and body. Get rid of as many chemicals as you can. Replace toxic household cleansers with products from the health food store. Throw out the packaged food in your cupboards with two-inch long lists of chemical ingredients, start shopping organic and change your diet to fresh vegetables and fruit, organic chemical-free foods, and meat and fish that has been raised in a clean environment without being loaded up with antibiotics, hormones and other chemicals.
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Next, take antioxidants and other vitamins and nutrients to build up your immune system.
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Next, tackle your skin care product shelves in the bathroom. Look for more two-inch long lists of chemical ingredients. Replace them with natural skin care products from the health food store and educate yourself on the natural skin care remedies that are already in your kitchen.
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Now that you’ve done what you can, you still have to tackle the polluted environment. Unfortunately, that’s not something you can do much about all by yourself. However, there is one solution – a shielding lotion. A good shielding lotion bonds with the outer layer of skin to form a protective layer that keeps chemicals out.
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If you follow the recommendations above, chances are you’ll feel better, look better and your sensitive skin will become less sensitive in short order. And if you keep eating natural foods, cleaning with natural products and using natural skin care products, it will continue to improve.
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Author: Gloria MacTaggart(skin care) ,Source: www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
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To learn more about effective marketing within the spa industry and salon industry visit:
www.SpaMarketingTools.com
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7th December 2007
The Manicure - More than Pretty Nails! - Marketing Spas
Spa Industry TrendsBy Angie Kocsi Pretty
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…and well cared for hands are more than a delight to the eye.
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In the business world the two things often considered the most important in presenting yourself, are a good pair of shoes and well-groomed hands. Our hands say a lot about us and well-groomed hands make a good impression.
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Business and social occasions often require us to meet and greet colleagues and acquaintances. The first thing we do when we met someone is hold out a hand to greet the person. Taking care of your hands with a regular manicure will add more than style to your appearance; it will also keep your hands well-groomed and prepared for all occasions. Whether you choose a full spa manicure or opt for an at-home treatment you need to follow a few guidelines to ensure that your hands are your best assets.
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The manicure: Ultimate pampering at home or at the spa:
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1. At home or at the spa start with a comfortable place to sit. Soak each hand in a bowl filled with warm water and perhaps a few drops of your favourite aromatherapy oil.
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2. Remove hands from the water and dry with a clean towel. Carefully clip and file the nails and clean gently around the cuticle area. Rinse hands and gently pat dry.
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3. While the hands are still moist apply a light scrub to exfoliate the dead skin. Rinse the hands again in the warm water and wipe completely dry.
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4. Apply a good moisturizer or lotion to the hands and wrists. This is a good time to enjoy a relaxing hand massage. Allow the moisturizer to penetrate.
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5. Leave fingernails natural or apply nail polish.
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Handy Notes: One of the very best ways to care for your nails is to eat a healthy diet. Boitin rich foods such as eggs, soy, whole grains and liver are reputed to promote healthy nails. Foods rich in sulphur minerals like apples, cucumbers, grapes, garlic and onions are also a must for strong nail growth. The essentials oils in salmon, seeds, nuts and tuna all help to keep nail shiny and pliable. A daily moisturizer will prevent those ragged cuticles and hangnails.
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Spas in Canada Copyright 2005 Angie Kocsi is co-founder of http://www.spasincanada.ca
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To find out more for marketing spas visit our spa marketing site at: www.SpaMarketingTools.com
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25th October 2007
London Hangover Spa Treatments
Spa Industry TrendsIt can be hard to pick yourself up after a hard night out, and many a London spa is hip to that.
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While most don’t use the unseemly word “hangover” in their marketing brochures, many offer “detox” or “cleansing” treatments for all manner of poisons. And because this is London, where even your spa attendant may be nursing a rough one, they’re sympathetic to your pain.
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There a few day spas that offer toxin extraction in London to get you feeling human again — and in shape for the pub.
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Great idea… always look for inavative things you can do in your marketing efforts. To learn more about effect marketing for your day spa, medi spa, salon or massage practice:
www.spamarketingtools.com
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20th October 2007
Cryotherapy - freezing your frame in a sub-zero chamber – might just be the coolest new way to wellness
Spa Industry TrendsThe Big Chill
Carol Perehudoff
Special to the Star.com
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POPRAD, SLOVAKIA–The worst thing about seeking wellness in a minus 60C chamber wearing shorts, sleeveless T-shirt, face mask, knee socks, mittens and clogs is knowing this is only the warmup.
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After 30 seconds, along with four Polish spa patrons, I will enter a minus 120C cryochamber for an immersion into cold as I’ve never experienced.
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As the lowest recorded temperature on Earth was minus 89.2C (in Vostok, Antarctica), to say I’m scared is an understatement. What if my brain freezes? Or an eye?
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Whole-body cryotherapy is one of the latest medical spa treatments cropping up in health-conscious Europe. Developed to help Eastern European athletes improve performance, it has filtered down to the mainstream population seeking treatment for problems ranging from arthritis and joint pain to cellulite and erectile dysfunction.
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While Poprad, a city of 55,000 at the base of the Tatra Mountains, may seem an unlikely place for a state-of-the-art cryotherapy centre, Slovakia’s spa industry is surprisingly well-developed. The Cryotherapy Clinic is one of the largest cryocentres and certainly the most glam. It opened in 2006, attached to AquaCity, a thermal water park and hotel complex.
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I’m always up for the latest torturous spa treatment, especially if it battles cottage cheese thighs, and the positive effect of cold temperatures has long been documented. Think ice packs, for example, used to reduce pain and swelling. During my required pre-treatment checkup, Dr. Jan Potocky, the centre’s enthusiastic medical supervisor, informed me that cryotherapy increases blood flow, which combats inflammation, enhances lymph flow and, most fun of all, produces endorphins.
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Only it’s not fun I’m feeling. It’s fear.
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“Okay,” Potocky says into the intercom, watching us through a glass window. “Your 30 seconds in the antechamber is up. Move into the next chamber. And keep walking. One minute one way, the second minute the other way.”
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It’s now or never. If I freeze, thaw me out when we have world peace. In single file we enter a sleek wood-lined room. It resembles a sauna, minus the heater and benches. The arctic air stings my skin and I walk in scaredy-cat position, arms crossed over my chest. The men have it worse being completely bare-chested. Wait. Men? One of the Polish guys has disappeared!
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He must have stayed in the antechamber, but I can’t worry about him now. I’m concerned with staying alive. Two to three minutes is beneficial. Somewhere around eight minutes you would lose co-ordination; around 10 you would die. Only the knowledge that I can push the door open and run out screaming keeps me in. After precisely one minute Potocky tells us to turn around and I’m in the lead.
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“Okay, Carol?” he says.
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I give him the thumbs up. My knees are burning and I’m shivering uncontrollably, but weirdly, I don’t feel that cold inside. In such a short time, skin temperature drops to around 2C, but body temperature only drops by between 0.1C and 0.2C.
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Rather than feeling frozen solid, I feel like a blue steak, seared on the outside, red and bloody inside. All things considered, it’s not so bad – not after growing up in Saskatchewan. I even drop my arms and attempt a slow but sprightly march.
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The woman behind me is clapping her mittened hands, and the tips keep brushing my back. When Potocky calls time, we pile out the door amidst a swoosh of fog. I whip off my face mask, recharged and triumphant, as if I’ve just dogsledded my way to the North Pole. I’m also relieved to see the disappearing man in the foyer.
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“I couldn’t breathe,” he says as we all head upstairs to the gym for the requisite 20-minute workout, designed to get the blood moving and flush out the free radicals our beleaguered cells have released. I feel completely energized. Even elated. My skin is glowing and I’m raring to go.
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While I can’t swear cryotherapy provides long-term benefits, because a series of seven sessions is recommended, I can report that it’s an instant boost to the system. In fact, you might say it’s the coolest new treatment around.
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12th October 2007
ISPA Releases Preliminary 2007 Spa Industry Study Results
Spa Industry TrendsThe International SPA Association (ISPA) released its preliminary 2007 figures on the United States spa industry in August of 2007. Final figures will be released this November 2007.
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The preliminary findings of the 2007 Spa Industry Study by The International SPA Association (ISPA) show that the U.S. spa industry is maturing. The number of spas is still growing, but overall revenues are down. Day spa revenues, in particular, dropped sharply even as more day spas opened.
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Here are the preliminary findings:
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Number of Spas in the United States, 2007:
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* There were an estimated 14,615 spas in the United States in August 2007, up 6% from 13,757 spas in August of 2006. There were 10,128 spas in April of 2004.
* Although the number of spas is still growing, the rate of growth is slowing.
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Numbers of Spa by Type, 2007:
The number of day spas, resort/hotel spas, medical spas and destination spas all increased between 2006 and 2007. The number of club spas and mineral springs spas decreased.
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* 11,736 day spas in the U.S., 80% of the total.
* 1,345 resort and hotel spas, 9% of the total.
* 976 medical spas, 7% of the total.
* 428 club spas, 3% of the total.
* 51 mineral springs spas, 0.4% of the total.
* 79 destination spas, 0.5% of the total.
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Annual Revenues of the Spa Industry:
While there were more spas in the U.S., revenues actually fell 3.4% from $9.7 billion in 2005 to $9.4 billion in 2006. Revenues are medical spas more than doubled.
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Annual Revenues By Spa Type:
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* Day spas : $5.294 billion in 2006, down from $6.794 billion in 2005.
* Resort and hotel spas: $2.499 billion, up from $2.026 billion.
* Medical spas: $1,063 billion, up from $469 million.
* Club spas: $242 million, up from $209 million.
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Number of Visits to U.S. Spas:
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* There were 110 million spa visits in 2006, a 16% decline from the 131 million spa visits in 2005. It was almost as low as the levels seen in 2003. However, one explanation may be that people are getting multiple services at one visit.
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Number of Employees in the U.S. Spa Industry:
The number of spa employees also declined.
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* There were 234,588 total spa employees in July 2007, compared to 267,400 total spa industry employees in August, 2006. Most of the decline was in part-time employees.
* 118,078 of the employees were full-time, 73,648 were part-time, and 42,862 were contract employees.
* There were 215,200 total spa industry employees in April 2004.
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Packages Offered:
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* Men, couples and pregnant women are being catered to with special packages. 48% of spas have packages for men, 46% for couples and 45% for pregnant women.
* Teen packages are available at 34% of spas, while senior packages are available at just 20% of spas.
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9th October 2007
Medical Spa Business Booms
Spa Industry TrendsMedicalisation of Beauty Fuels Demand for Med spas
“Ordinary” people are increasingly buying aesthetic treatments and services.
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The democratisation of medical aesthetics fuels strong growth for med spas, aesthetic laser treatments and physician skincare brands. According to US medical spa managers, “ordinary” people are increasingly buying aesthetic treatments and services. Med spas are seeing a wider range of new clients, such as men, ethnic and younger consumers though the older, affluent woman remains the most important medical-cosmetic customer.
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Cosmetic or non-invasive procedures generate most revenues because clients want effective results, fast treatments and no down or recovery time. Skincare, which removes or reduces the signs of aging such as age spots and wrinkles, is driving this market while hair removal for both men and women can account for more than 50% of business in US med spas.
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Laser and light based device procedures can generate up to 80% of sales. Technically innovative lasers, which treat an ever wider range of conditions, will drive higher rates of growth as pigmentation, acne, tattoos, redness, sun damage, veins, psoriasis, lesion removal and skin rejuvenation procedures become available in med spas. The launch of effective and non-surgical treatments for obesity or excess body fat will be the “holy grail” of the global laser and med spa market. But market experts warn that body contouring and anti- cellulite devices must deliver results in order to succeed.
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In little more than a decade the US med spa market has come from zero to a one billion US$ market. However this new market is restricted to companies and products which meet specific criteria. The blurring of boundaries between cosmetic and medicine has generated uncertainties but suppliers and med spas which want to carve out a niche must differentiate themselves from the cosmetic market. Key distinctions include clinical data, evidence backed results, FDA approval and doctor, physician or pharmacy skincare brands
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Diagonal Reports has now published its latest report on the US med spa Market. Diagonal Reports specializes in the beauty and wellness market. It tracks medical, dental and day spas, hair and beauty salons, fitness clubs, wellness hotels, thermal springs, express and slimming clinics worldwide.
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Source Diagonal Reports conducted interviews with leading US med spas, representing thousands of service visits, to determine demand for med spa treatments and procedures. www.diagonalreports.com
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28th September 2007
Spa Statistics
Spa Industry TrendsOngoing Spa Statistics…
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# As of July 2007, there were 14,600 spas in the United States representing a 6 percent growth from August 2006 when there were 13,800.
# Day spas remain the most prevalent spa type.
# The U.S. spa industry generated an estimated $9.4 billion in 2006.
# There were an estimated 110 million visits to spas in 2006 compared to 131 million visits in 2005.
# Women continue to rule as spa-goers. However, men account for more than 40 percent of spa-goers in Australia, Austria, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Spain and Thailand.
# Facials, sauna and steam baths and full-body massages are among the most popular treatments worldwide.
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Source: 2007 ISPA Spa Industry Study
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5th September 2007
Spas Forced to Refocus
Spa Industry TrendsSource: The Nation, Bangkok’s Independent Newspaper
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The hotel spa business has rigorously adjusted its strategy by launching new services and tapping into new markets instead of relying mainly on hotel guests, following a decline in occupancy rates.
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Shelida Buranasiri, assistant managing director of the Imperial Health & Spa Group, said revenues of hotel spa complexes had dropped by between 10 per cent and 20 per cent this year due to the fall in occupancy rates.
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The group operates spa services at the Imperial hotels in Bangkok, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai. Next year, it will operate spas for the Starwood hotel chain, including Le Meridien Chiang Mai.
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“As a hotel spa, we have been fully affected by a decline in the occupancy rate of hotel rooms. The strong appreciation of the baht and political uncertainty have had a serious psychological impact on tourists, particularly Japanese, who are more cautious about spending,” said Shelida.
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“This is the first year we have to push ourselves in order to gain revenue,” said Nathalie Paque, health club & spa manager at the JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok. “The revenues of our spa complex declined at the beginning of the year and are staying flat. We need to do more marketing and find new ways of treatment to gain more revenue.”
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She added that the spa centre had recently launched a new massage service by the pool. It will have massage services in guest rooms by the end of the year or early next year. Spa staff will also receive cross-training and be able to do many jobs.
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Paque said that this year spa revenue had dropped from the growth of 7-10 per cent enjoyed in previous years.
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“This is the first year we have heard of some spas closing down. There were 10 good hotel spa complexes in Chiang Mai, and five of them have already closed,” said Paque.
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She said the JW Marriott spa currently attracted 21 to 26 customers a day, both hotel and walk-in guests.
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In the current circumstances, the spa centre cannot rely on only one market, she said, adding that about 70 per cent of its clients are hotel guests.
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Zense of Joy Spa managing director Varaluck Vanichkul said that compared to hotel spas, day spas had higher flexibility by not relying only on hotel guests.
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Varaluck, a well-known model, opened the first Zense of Joy Spa complex a few years ago on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Soi 23. The spa, which is able to attract between 35 and 45 guests on weekdays and up to 60 a day at weekends, reached break-even point within six months.
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The company plans to officially open a second spa centre at The Esplanade complex on Ratchadapisek Road at the beginning of next month.
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“The secret of our success is that we have brought the pre-sales system to apply to our spa business,” said Varaluck, adding that the company had conducted pre-sales activities for three months prior to the opening of its first spa on Sukhumvit Road. Once it opened, the company already had 500 clients available for its spa complex.
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Dr Pakpilai Thavisin, president of Papanan, the operator of S medical rejuvenation spa, said medical spas had enjoyed growth as “baby boomers” are searching for optimal health in a pleasant environment.
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People are looking for a more personal and attractive alternative to injections and surgery. They are also looking for one-stop-shopping medical procedures and a relaxing spa treatment in one place and at one time.
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“There is growing evidence that people are focusing more holistically on wellness, as they realize this can reduce their health care costs by emphasizing prevention over treatment,” said Pakpilai.
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She said people nowadays were more health-conscious and were moving towards a “wellness lifestyle”. They demand a holistic approach to feeling well.
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“Because of the wellness boom, people are searching for an institute that can provide them with comprehensive medical and wellness programs with relaxing and calming services and an environment to holistically enhance their body, mind and spirit,” she added.
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Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn - The Nation.
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To learn more about running an effective spa business go to: www.SpaMarketingTools.com
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24th August 2007
At This Tokyo Spa, the Fish Food Is You
Spa Industry TrendsIn Tokyo, sushi is finally getting its revenge.
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Andrea Sachs
Washingtonpost.com
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In Tokyo, sushi is finally getting its revenge.
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In May 2006, the Ooedo-Onsen-Monogatari, a four-year-old hot springs spa in the city’s Odaiba area, added a new treatment to its menu: Doctor Fish’s “pedicure” and “manicure.” In a reversal of the food chain, the fish dine on you — or at least parts of you.
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In a culture where food and fashion seem straight out of science fiction, Doctor Fish is hardly extraordinary. Strangely enough, the spa’s finned employees, which are imported from Turkey and are known scientifically as Garra rufa, have a taste for dry, flaking human skin. The fish act like living pumice stones, nibbling off the dead epidermis and leaving behind baby-smooth skin. (Thankfully, they don’t have a piranha streak.)
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Those squeamish about skin-eating fish, however, don’t have to stay out of the water. The onsen, one of the largest in Tokyo, is a bather’s Eden, with outdoor and indoor pools of varying temperatures and landscape designs. (The ion-rich water comes from a spring more than 4,600 feet underground.) There are tubs shaped like pickle barrels and baths resembling lap pools for the lazy-armed. Some hot tubs could fit in at a Colorado ski resort, while others are decidedly Japanese, with artfully pruned trees and mindfully placed stones that look handpicked by Zen monks.
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An open-air footbath flows like a creek, laid with stones sharp and smooth, large and pebbly. And since this is a public bathhouse, you can make 99 new friends in the Hyakunin, or “One Hundred People,” bath. The 20-minute Doctor Fish foot treatment is done in an indoor pool about the size of a small koi pond, whereas the 15-minute hand option takes place in an aquarium-size tank. (Dip your hand in and wait in mild horror.)
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Sections of the onsen are open 22 hours a day, so visitors can bathe in the springs after lunch or before their morning coffee, or during bouts of insomnia. (The facility closes from 9 to 11 a.m. for a scrubbing.) Those who become sleepy while bathing can nap in a daytime tearoom that morphs at night into a large slumber space with tatami mats and thin blankets. Upstairs are rows of leather recliners with entertainment systems. Japanese- and Western-style rooms also are available at an adjoining hotel. (Try the room with warming foot toasters at the end of the beds.)
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Besides the baths, the facility also provides spa treatments that make basalt stone massages seem so pedestrian. For example, with the sand bath, staff members bury you, except for the face, more than three feet below indoor sand dunes that are hot enough to burn a camel’s pads. Elsewhere in the building, an expert is on hand to tell you how dirty your blood is — as if high blood pressure isn’t enough to stress over.
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Despite its eccentricities and liberal business hours, the onsen has firm rules. Ergo, no clothes are allowed in the same-sex baths: “Everyone is supported to be naked from here,” reads a sign in the women’s locker room. Even the wrong towel size can stir up trouble. “Too small, too small,” barked an employee, gesturing at the medium-size towel I wore into the tub area. I mistakenly thought she was telling me to cover up with a larger towel. Instead, I was being chided for using one that was too big and was forced to downsize. (The dressing room is stocked with towels, hair dryers, shampoo, combs, toothbrushes and other toiletries.)
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One of the odder requirements relates to the onsen’s attempt to re-create Old Japan, with an emphasis on the Edo period, which was defined by shoguns and an artistic renaissance. For example, upon entry, visitors are handed a kimono-like yukata and belt that they must wear at all times. (In addition, shoes are banned, so pick your socks wisely.) The backs of the robes are adorned with colorful images of geishas, Mount Fuji and other Japanese icons.
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Fortunately, Doctor Fish has no required attire, except for a dusting of dead skin.
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“Some people say it’s a very nice and very natural way to remove your dead cells,” said Yuki Yamagishi, the owner of a ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn, whom I met in Kyoto. “I want to do my feet and back, because I can’t reach with a back scrubber.”
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When I arrived for my pedicure, two Japanese women were sitting on the edge of the pool giggling as they viewed the fish vacuuming their legs. I hesitantly plunged my feet into the warm water, then watched as a dark, wiggling nimbus darted over to my legs. Fresh dead cells, yum. Their little pouts attached to my ankles, toes and feet, but they were intimidated by my runner’s callus. I could feel the light flutter of their fins against my skin and the slight pinch of their mouths. It would have been calming had it not been so disturbing.
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When my time was up, I gently shook off the clingier critters and wandered over to the footbath. Amid radiant flowers and streaming water, I admired my smooth legs glinting under the sun. Doctor Fish had cleaned his plate.
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