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It’s a tough time for many businesses right now – bars, pubs and clubs have had to close, and employees have been sent home. Also hit hard, is the beauty industry. Salons, hairdressers and nail bars have had to shut up shop after soldiering on for as long as they could, offering a moment of self-care and escapism during unprecedented chaos and confusion.
While beauty businesses may seem not as important as other global problems, especially at a time of a global health crisis, the beauty industry is one of the UK’s biggest employers, accounting for 1 in every 60 jobs. This isn’t to mention the domino effect such a major sector has – the production line employees, the delivery services, the factory workers and the jobs in marketing and sales. “The beauty industry has a large multiplier effect in terms of jobs,” explains Millie Kendall MBE, CEO of The British Beauty Council. “For every £1 million in the beauty industry, there is another £1 million spent on the supply chain.”
In many ways, it’s the small businesses who can be hit the hardest – the ones who don’t make huge profits so haven’t been able to save for a rainy day, and may not be able to benefit from government grants.
With more of us stuck inside looking for small ways to cheer ourselves up and things to do in isolation, lending these businesses our support, if we’re able, could make all the difference. For starters, being more prudent about where we choose to buy our basic essentials – body wash, deodorant and shampoo – rather than overwhelming our already stretched supermarkets, is a significant way we can each contribute to supporting British beauty brands. P.S. Loads of them make beautiful soaps – and they’re in stock.