Massage, hair salon customers watching dollars
Residents are stretching out the time between massage appointments and getting creative with hair color at Ahwatukee Foothills and Tempe salons to save money in today’s sluggish economy.
Several Ahwatukee and Tempe salon and spa owners say they expect their revenue and number of customers for this year will either remain the same as in 2007 or grow at a smaller rate year over year than it has in the past. In recent months business has been slower than normal at this time of year, they said.
Many are offering specials to lure clients.
“There’s no question the economy is affecting our business,” Richard Behr, managing director of the Arizona Grand Resort, said. “People are being much more strategic in how they spend their money.”
He said revenue generated at the resort’s spa, off Baseline Road near Interstate 10, was about $3,000 less in the first 21 days of November this year compared with the same period in 2007. But he said the number of spa treatments was about the same.
The economy has also slowed growth at Massage Envy locations at 3820 E. Ray Road in Ahwatukee and 315 W. Elliot Road in Tempe, co-owner Jon Brovitz said.
Brovitz, who owns the stores with his wife Bonnie, estimates 52,625 massages will be given this year at the two stores. That’s a 2.1 percent increase over 2007, he said. The Ahwatukee and Tempe stores sold 51,531 massages in 2007, a 15.4 percent increase over 2006, he said.
“The economy has definitely had an impact on all businesses,” Brovitz said.
Still, customers are increasingly seeking stress relief and memberships continue to grow, he said.
“They want to get away . . . escape from all the things going on right now,” he said.
At Adam Pink Salon in Ahwatukee, customers are waiting longer between appointments to get haircuts and colors, co-owner Adam Pink said. Some will have their gray hair blended in to the other colors so they don’t have to get it dyed as often, Pink said.
The salon saw the same number of customers during October this year as it did in October 2007 but revenue during that period is down 5 to10 percent, he said.
“If they are laid off or slower in their business they’re not going to come in as often,” Pink said.
But he said beauty salons offer a diversion in today’s economy.
“It’s something that makes them feel good about themselves,” he said.
Business has also been slower at Belle Mélange Salon in Ahwatukee.
The salon did 10 facials or peels in November 2007, but had done none this November as of Nov. 26, owner Shaunte Fox said.
“The economy has hit everyone and though people still want to keep up their beauty regimens . . . they are finding ways to do it less expensively,” she said via e-mail.
Just For You Salon and Spa in Tempe expects to generate the same amount of revenue for this year as it did in 2007, owner Loretta Wilson said.
“We’re financially strong,” she said. “The economy will turn around pretty soon. You have to stay positive.”
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