Ready to take a closer look at your clientele—and your would-be clients, too? Spa-addicts.com, a spa website that aims to make the spa-going lifestyle available to all, has released an enlightening national survey, profiling the female spa client in the United States. Here are some of their findings.
* Surprisingly, only 33 percent of women in the U.S. have ever been to a spa. So what makes treatments a necessary part of life for that 33 percent? The top reasons included to be pampered, to relax or decompress, to get some peace and quiet and to look better.
* Geographically, those in the Midwest were the least likely to go to spas with only 20 percent. In the West, however, it is a much more vital activity, with nearly half (48 percent) attending spas. The South (34 percent) and the Northeast (31 percent) fill out the middle section.
* What treatments are the most popular? Eighty-four percent seek massages, 72 percent facials, 68 percent pedicures and 64 percent manicures for the top four treatments.
* Basic treatments are still the most popular, with 52 percent of women admitting that they have not branched out into more exotic services like body wraps or hydrotherapy.
* So why are the other 67 percent of women staying away from the spa? The survey found that there were a number of reasons, including that some think it is too expensive. You can counter that perception among current clients by talking about the necessity of treatments for a healthy lifestyle—both mentally and physically. Another reason cited was spa insecurities—not knowing what to expect during the service, how to dress and what to do during the treatment. The foil to that? Educate! Talk to clients about services, clarify the process and explain what to wear and what not to wear.