United Kingdom Nail Salon Market Overview, 2031

Key Insights

• According to the research report, "United Kingdom Nail Salon Market Outlook, 2031," published by Bonafide Research, the United Kingdom Nail Salon Market is anticipated to add to more than USD 200 Million by 2026-31.
• The UK nail salon industry is highly fragmented, with independent salons, self-employed nail technicians, home-based operators and small beauty businesses forming a major part of the supply base. At the same time, branded nail concepts are expanding in major cities. Townhouse, for example, has developed a multi-location UK presence, illustrating the increasing professionalization and commercialization of the nail-services market.
• Consumer preferences are shifting toward longer-lasting and more natural-looking treatments. BIAB, builder gel, hard gel, Gel-X, acrylic extensions and structured manicures are increasingly important within the professional nail-services portfolio. Nail art also remains strongly influenced by Instagram, TikTok, beauty influencers and seasonal fashion trends. The market is simultaneously seeing greater interest in nail health, product safety and cleaner formulations.

Market Outlook

• The UK nail salon market is expected to maintain a positive growth trajectory, supported by the increasing integration of nail care into regular personal-grooming and self-care routines. The market is particularly well positioned in urban areas where consumers have greater exposure to beauty trends, specialist salons and premium nail services.
• Premium and specialist services are likely to become increasingly important. BIAB, structured manicures, builder gel, hard gel, Gel-X, acrylic extensions, detailed nail art and customized designs allow salons to differentiate themselves from low-cost operators. Premium salons are also increasingly competing through customer experience, salon interiors, appointment convenience and personalized treatment recommendations.
• The UK market is also experiencing a shift toward flexible service models. Alongside conventional high-street salons, home based technicians, rented treatment spaces, mobile nail technicians and specialist nail studios are becoming important parts of the supply landscape. Digital booking platforms and social media led customer acquisition allow independent technicians to build businesses without requiring large traditional salon premises.
• Regional concentration will remain important. London represents the country's most significant premium beauty market, while Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool and Bristol also provide strong opportunities for specialist nail businesses. Outside major cities, independent salons and home based technicians are likely to remain more important because of lower operating costs and localized customer relationships.

Policies

• Nail salons in the UK operate under a combination of cosmetic-product, workplace health and safety, consumer protection and local-authority requirements. Licensing requirements can differ according to the treatment being provided and the local council. Businesses should therefore check the requirements applicable to their specific premises and treatments rather than assuming that a single national salon licence applies across the UK.
• Product safety has become a major issue for the UK nail industry, particularly for gel and acrylic systems. HEMA containing products are subject to restrictions under UK cosmetic regulations and are intended for professional use with appropriate warnings. This increases the importance of technician training, correct application, curing procedures and appropriate product selection.
• TPO is currently one of the most important regulatory developments affecting the UK professional nail industry. TPO was added to the GB Mandatory Classification List in February 2025, and the UK Government is taking steps to prohibit its use in cosmetic products in Great Britain. New cosmetic products containing TPO are subject to restrictions from August 2026.

Industry Statistics

• The UK beauty services industry has a large and fragmented business base. The National Hair & Beauty Federation reported approximately 49,000 hair and beauty businesses across the UK in its 2024 industry overview, with the majority being small and micro businesses. Nail bars and beauty salons have been expanding while traditional hairdressing businesses have faced greater structural pressure.
• Nail salon openings have remained an important component of the UK's beauty-sector expansion. Industry data reported by Scratch and the National Hair & Beauty Federation identified approximately 1,680 new nail salons opening in the UK between 2019 and 2024. Townhouse emerged as one of the most prominent expanding branded nail operators, reaching 40 UK locations by October 2024.
• Official ONS statistics place nail related businesses within the broader SIC 96.02 classification covering hairdressing and beauty salons. The ONS provides data on enterprises, employment and turnover by UK country and region, but does not provide a standalone national enterprise count exclusively for nail salons. This distinction should be maintained when developing the UK market model.
• The UK professional nail-product supply chain includes international manufacturers, specialist beauty distributors, online B2B suppliers, wholesalers and direct-to-salon sales. Major brands active in the market include OPI, CND, Gelish and The GelBottle, alongside numerous specialist British and European brands. Builder gels, BIAB systems, gel polishes, acrylic systems, nail art products and professional equipment represent important procurement categories.

Industry News

• In July 2026, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association issued updated guidance regarding the UK's TPO restrictions. The association stated that the placing-on-the-market deadline for TPO-containing cosmetic products in Great Britain is 15 August 2026, followed by a making-available deadline in February 2027. The development is particularly important for nail salons because TPO has historically been used in some UV and LED cured gel products.
• In September 2025, the UK Government confirmed that it was taking steps to prohibit TPO in cosmetic products in Great Britain following its addition to the GB Mandatory Classification List earlier in the year. The Government stated that the first stage would prevent new cosmetic products containing TPO from being placed on the market from August 2026. The development is expected to accelerate the replacement of affected professional nail products.
• In October 2024, industry reporting highlighted continued expansion of the UK’s nail salon segment, with approximately 1,680 new nail salons opens since 2019. The expansion of Townhouse into multiple UK locations also demonstrated the growing potential for branded and standardized nail salon formats alongside the traditional independent salon model.
• In 2024, the National Hair & Beauty Federation reported that UK beauty businesses were continuing to face difficult trading conditions, recruitment challenges and rising wage costs. The organization also highlighted the continued shift toward self-employment within the sector.

Segment Analysis

United Kingdom Nail Salon Market By Service
• Manicure is a core service in the United Kingdom nail salon market and is widely used for routine nail grooming, personal appearance, and self-care. Services include basic nail cleaning, shaping, cuticle care, regular polish, French manicures, gel manicures, and other specialized treatments. Demand is supported by the UK's established beauty and personal-care sector, particularly across major urban markets such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Gel manicures are particularly relevant among consumers seeking longer-lasting results, while classic and natural manicures continue to attract customers seeking regular maintenance and professional grooming.
• Pedicure is an important service in the United Kingdom, supported by demand for foot grooming, hygiene, relaxation, and wellness. Salons commonly offer classic, gel, spa, and luxury pedicures incorporating nail trimming and shaping, cuticle care, exfoliation, massage, and polish or gel application. Demand generally increases during spring and summer as consumers prepare for holidays and open footwear, while spa and wellness-oriented pedicures provide year-round demand. Older consumers and men also contribute to the pedicure segment through regular foot-care and maintenance services.
• Nail Enhancement includes acrylic nails, gel extensions and overlays, builder gel, dip powder, infills, and other techniques used to lengthen, strengthen, or reshape natural nails. Acrylic and gel enhancements remain widely offered across UK nail salons, while builder gel and other structured enhancement services are increasingly relevant among consumers seeking durability with a more natural appearance. Enhancement services are particularly important among younger adult consumers and customers who prefer longer-lasting manicures, customized nail shapes, and more elaborate designs. Regular infill and maintenance appointments also create recurring revenue for salons.

United Kingdom Nail Salon Market By Age Group
• Below 18 consumers generally represent a smaller portion of professional nail salon demand and are more likely to use services for birthdays, holidays, proms, parties, weddings, vacations, and other special occasions. Basic manicures, simple nail art, and conventional pedicures are generally more relevant than frequent high-value enhancement services.
• 18-40 represents a major consumer group for the United Kingdom nail salon market due to strong engagement with beauty, fashion, personal grooming, and self-care. Consumers in this age group are important users of recurring manicures and pedicures, gel services, acrylic and gel enhancements, and customized nail art. Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, together with celebrity and influencer trends, encourage experimentation with nail colors, shapes, finishes, and decorative designs.
• 41-60 consumers maintain meaningful demand for professional nail services, with greater emphasis on routine grooming, nail maintenance, wellness, and foot care. Manicures and pedicures remain important, while consumers in this group may show greater preference for classic colors, natural-looking finishes, strengthening treatments, gel services, and spa-oriented pedicures.

United Kingdom Nail Salon Market By End User
• Women represent the largest end-user group in the United Kingdom nail salon market, supported by established demand for manicures, pedicures, nail enhancements, nail art, and regular nail maintenance. Professional nail services are used for everyday grooming as well as weddings, holidays, parties, professional events, festivals, and other social occasions. Nail care has increasingly become part of broader beauty and self-care routines, with consumers adopting different colors, shapes, finishes, and designs according to fashion and seasonal trends. Large metropolitan markets, particularly London, provide significant opportunities for specialist and premium nail service providers.
• Men represent a smaller but increasingly relevant customer segment in the United Kingdom nail salon market. Male consumers primarily seek manicures and pedicures for grooming, hygiene, professional appearance, foot care, and wellness. Basic nail trimming, shaping, cuticle care, buffing, and natural-looking finishes are more common than decorative enhancement services. Increasing acceptance of men's grooming and gender neutral beauty services is expanding the potential customer base, particularly among younger professionals and consumers in larger UK cities.
United Kingdom Nail Salon Market By Pricing & Positioning
• Mid-Range salons represent a significant portion of the United Kingdom nail salon market and primarily compete through accessible professional services, convenience, repeat customers, and broad service menus. These salons commonly offer classic and gel manicures, standard and gel pedicures, acrylic and gel enhancements, infills, and selected nail art services. Pricing varies considerably by city, location, salon format, technician experience, and service complexity, with London and other major metropolitan areas generally supporting higher prices than smaller towns and suburban locations.
• Premium-Range salons focus on higher-value experiences, advanced nail techniques, customized designs, premium products, experienced technicians, enhanced hygiene standards, and personalized customer service. Premium positioning is particularly relevant in affluent areas of London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and other major UK cities, where consumers may pay more for detailed nail art, advanced gel and builder gel treatments, luxury pedicures, specialist enhancements, and boutique salon experiences.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2020
• Base year: 2025
• Estimated year: 2026
• Forecast year: 2031
Aspects covered in this report
• Nail Salon with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation
By Service
• Manicure
• Pedicure
• Nail Enhancement
• Others (Nail Art & Decoration, Nail Maintenance & Other Services)
By End User
• Women
• Men
By Age Group
• Below 18
• 18-40
• 41-60
By Pricing & Positioning
• Mid-Range
Premium- Range