Non-profit organisation the British Beauty Council has issued The Value of Beauty summarising specialty trends.
According to the report, the UK’s beauty and personal care sector surged in 2024, contributing £30.4 billion to GDP, a 9% rise on 2023 and growing four times faster than the wider UK economy. Consumer spending reached £32.4 billion, with professional services such as aesthetic clinics growing 15% to £10.1 billion. The sector also supported direct employment for 496,000 people, surpassing workforce figures in industries such as utilities, publishing and broadcasting.
The report also found that despite robust domestic growth, UK beauty exports fell to £4.3 billion, hindered by ongoing Brexit‑related trade barriers. Forecasts predict a slowdown in 2025, with GDP contribution projected to rise by a more modest 3%.
Millie Kendall, CEO of the British Beauty Council, commented, “The drop in beauty industry exports – along with changes in top exporting destinations – comes as no surprise, given the repercussions of Brexit and the increasing complexity of global trade regulations. That said, there is a clear appetite from brands to focus on their home market, building our reputation in the UK.”