Busy, But Hesitant to Raise Prices? What 2026 Is Likely to Bring for Salons
- Raymond
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Raising prices is something many salon owners approach with caution.
Some feel reasonably comfortable with it. Others feel understandably far less sure. And many sit somewhere in between, aware that prices may need to move, but unsure how clients or the team might respond, or whether the timing feels right.
That hesitation is completely understandable. But as we move through 2026, one thing is becoming clearer across the industry: we need to know our numbers.
Why pricing decisions feel harder in 2026
Teams will either need or be expecting higher wages.
For that to be sustainable, pricing needs to support those wages while still allowing the business to remain profitable. When that balance isn’t quite right, the pressure doesn’t disappear. It tends to show up elsewhere.
Pricing and wages are closely linked
In practice, pricing and wages shouldn’t be separate conversations.
Where pricing has been reviewed regularly, wage discussions often feel calmer and more considered. Commission tends to do more of the work, expectations are clearer, and changes feel planned rather than reactive.
Where salon pricing has been left untouched for a longer period, wage pressure can feel heavier. The salon business is asked to absorb higher costs without much room to manoeuvre, which can make decisions feel more difficult than they need to be.
This isn’t always about rushing to raise prices or increasing wages for the sake of it. We believe the most valuable thing you can do right now is to understand whether the numbers still work for your salon as it operates today.
💡 If commission feels harder to reach than it used to, it’s often a sign prices haven’t kept pace with costs, not that the team are doing a bad job.
When a busy diary doesn’t translate into results
We often speak to owners whose stylists and therapists are around 75% booked, yet targets still aren’t being met. When that happens, it’s rarely about the service they're providing and it could be a sign that something has shifted over time. Service timings may have crept up, or pricing may no longer reflect the work being delivered.
On the surface, the diary looks healthy. Underneath, the figures don’t quite line up. 💡 Small overruns in service timings don’t feel dramatic day to day, but over the months, they can quietly undo your pricing.
When a busy salon still feels under pressure
If pricing is left unaddressed, this can quietly affect the trust you have with your team. Stylists and Therapists can feel busy but frustrated. Owners can feel pressure without clarity. And the longer it’s left, the harder it can be to pinpoint what needs adjusting.
This is a position many salon owners and salon managers recognise. Things aren’t broken, but they don’t feel settled either. 💡 If your team is busy but not hitting targets, the issue is rarely effort. It’s usually pricing, timing, or structure that’s drifted over time.
Deciding when to review prices in a changing year
Looking ahead, costs are unlikely to stand still this year. Wages, suppliers and overheads continue to move, and for many salons, some level of price adjustment during 2026 may be necessary.
The question is rarely whether prices will need to change, but how and when to do so in a way that feels manageable.
Handled steadily, pricing changes can support wages, protect margins and maintain trust within the salon team. Left too late, they can feel rushed and uncomfortable.
Where to go next
If you’re already a MySalonManager member, you’ll recognise this as a natural point to pause and review things with your coach. It’s often where we take a fresh look at pricing, targets and performance together.
If you’re new here and not yet a member, you can still benefit from a free, relaxed 20-minute strategy call. It’s simply a chance to talk through what’s feeling tight in your salon with an experienced salon business consultant, and consider whether pricing, wages or efficiency might be playing a part.