Christina Gough
Research expert covering sports and video gaming
Wellness industry in the United Kingdom - statistics & facts
Stepping into the world of wellness means nurturing the mind, body, and soul. Whether enjoying a relaxing day at a spa or purchasing a candle to give the home a relaxing aura, consumers in the United Kingdom invest significant time and money in self-care. This can be witnessed in the fact that the UK is one of the biggest wellness industry markets in Europe, with an estimated value of over 223 billion U.S. dollars.
How popular are spa days in the UK?
The revenue of the spa market in the United Kingdom exceeded 3.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, with a significant portion of this coming through the day spa segment. Despite a trip to the spa generally being seen as a luxury experience, spa customers in the UK were nevertheless discerning about spending their money. A 2023 survey exploring the most important factors when booking a spa day revealed that over 40 percent of respondents wanted to find the right offer and were looking for real value for money. Meanwhile, a significant portion of spa customers also looked at the range of facilities on offer when it came to booking a spa day. The use of these facilities and the ability to escape from the stresses of life are some of the reasons why spa vouchers have become a popular gift. Over one quarter of spa vouchers redeemed in the UK in 2023 were in January or February, providing a day of escapism and luxury during the dark winter months.How do UK consumers engage in self-care?
Ranging from beauty products and manicures to massages and hairdresser appointments, average annual consumer spending on self-care in the UK exceeded 4.6 thousand British pounds in 2023. Skincare products alone accounted for over 550 British pounds of average spending per year. However, when it came to purchasing health and beauty products online and in-store, a majority of consumers still preferred the traditional method. After all, trying out the product in-store and being able to smell it or feel it on the skin is one of the main factors when it comes to purchasing decisions. Yet consumers are also increasingly using technology and wearables to track their health and wellbeing. The number of users in the digital fitness and wellbeing segment of the digital health market in the United Kingdom was forecast to grow year on year with no signs of slowing down. It appears that the future of the wellness industry will be a hybrid of irreplaceable in-person experiences and the wonders of technology and health data.
