33
21%
Market Overview
33 hair salons operate in Preston — a high density for a suburb competing for a finite local customer base. Add to that the surrounding food and drink scene — 66 restaurants, 51 cafes, 54 fast food outlets, 16 bars, and 11 pubs — and it's clear Preston draws solid foot traffic through its commercial strips. But foot traffic alone doesn't fill appointment books.
The most striking number: just 7 of 33 salons (21%) have a website. That means 79% of hair salons in Preston are effectively invisible to anyone searching online. In a market this competitive, that's not a minor gap — it's the single biggest opportunity for any salon willing to invest in basic digital presence.
Names like M-Element, H.M. Allure, Winzu for Hair, Reborn Hair, and Lords of the North have made that move. They appear when potential customers search for salon services in the area. The remaining 26 operators are left competing purely through foot traffic, signage, and referrals — a shrinking pool as more customers start their search on Google before walking through any door.
Preston's salon market is fragmented. No single operator dominates the suburb, and the mix of established names alongside smaller independents means competition is spread thin. For new entrants, the barrier to entry is low but the barrier to visibility is high. A salon that nails its online presence and service positioning can gain ground quickly; one that doesn't will struggle to stand out among 32 competitors offering similar services within the same postcode.
What Customers in Preston Care About
Walking distance from errands
With 51 cafes and 66 restaurants nearby, Preston customers want a salon they can visit alongside their regular shopping — not a special trip.
Stylists who handle diverse hair
Preston's multicultural population means customers expect stylists comfortable with a range of hair types and textures, not just one kind.
Proof of recent work
With only 21% of salons showing portfolios online, customers pick the ones where they can see actual cuts and colours before committing.
After-hours or Saturday slots
The suburb's workforce needs appointments outside 9-to-5, and salons offering flexible timing fill their books faster than those that don't.
Clear pricing before booking
Customers here compare quickly — if your prices aren't visible online or on the door, they'll move to the next option on the strip.
Hair Salons operating in Preston, Melbourne
A sample of real hair salons in this area. Want ratings, reviews, and exactly where you rank against them? Run a free report on your business.
| Business | Type |
|---|---|
| Doll Box | Hairdresser |
| Lux Hair | Hairdresser |
| Majic Hair | Hairdresser |
| Rock Paper Scissors | Hairdresser |
| S. S. Hair Studio | Hairdresser |
| Preston Hair Shop | Hairdresser |
| Hair at 513 | Hairdresser |
| M-Element | Hairdresser |
| The Corridor Hair Salon | Hairdresser |
| Taper & Fade | Hairdresser |
| Beautiful Blooming | Hairdresser |
| Mod Creation | Hairdresser |
Business listings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Tips for Hair Salons Owners in Preston
Get your salon on Google this week
79% of Preston salons have no website at all. Setting up a Google Business Profile with photos, hours, and services takes less than an hour and immediately puts you ahead of most competitors in the area.
Display your range on social media
With names like H.M. Allure and Reborn Hair already active online, posting before-and-after photos and short styling videos helps you compete for attention in a market where visual proof drives bookings.
Partner with nearby cafes and shops
Preston's commercial strips are packed with 66 restaurants and 51 cafes. A cross-promotion arrangement — a flyer at the counter, a loyalty discount swap — taps into existing foot traffic without spending on ads.
Competition Snapshot
33 salons in one suburb is crowded. With only 7 operators maintaining a website, the market splits into two tiers: digitally visible and digitally invisible. M-Element, Winzu for Hair, Lords of the North, and the rest of the online seven are fighting for the growing share of customers who search first. The other 26 are relying on walk-ins and word of mouth — a strategy that shrinks every year. The salon market isn't oversaturated in any one niche, which is the upside. There's no dominant blow-dry bar or specialist colourist cornering the area. A new entrant with a defined specialty, a functional booking page, and a few strong Google reviews can establish themselves faster than the numbers might suggest.
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