18
11%
Eighteen hair salons compete for business in Northbridge — a compact inner-city precinct where the dining and nightlife scene dwarfs the personal services market. With 153 restaurants, 97 cafés, 54 fast food outlets, 47 bars, and 16 pubs in the immediate area, foot traffic is significant but heavily skewed toward food and drink. For salon operators, this is both an opportunity and a challenge: the sheer volume of people passing through creates a large potential customer base, yet capturing their attention requires competing with an overwhelming number of dining and entertainment options.
Competition among the 18 salons is moderate in raw numbers, but the real story is digital visibility. Only two salons — roughly 11% — have a website. That leaves 16 operators relying on walk-ins, word of mouth, or social media alone. In a suburb that draws a mixed crowd of city workers, students, and nightlife visitors, salons that invest in a basic web presence gain an outsized advantage. Notable names like Maurice Meade and the Taylor Weir International School of Hairdressing maintain an online footprint, but the majority of Northbridge salons are essentially invisible to anyone searching online.
For Perth's broader population of 2.3 million, Northbridge functions as a niche entertainment and dining hub rather than a traditional high street shopping destination. Hair salons here must work harder to justify a visit compared to those in dedicated retail strips or suburban shopping centres.
Late-night and weekend hours
Northbridge's identity as an entertainment precinct means many clients want appointments outside standard 9-to-5 hours, especially before a night out.
Easy parking or train access
With limited street parking and Perth Train Station nearby, customers weigh how conveniently they can get to and from their appointment.
Comfort with creative styles
Northbridge attracts a younger, more alternative crowd than suburban Perth; clients expect stylists who handle bold colour, fades, undercuts, and non-traditional looks with confidence.
Walking distance to food and drinks
With over 300 dining venues in the area, many customers plan salon visits around meals and want a good coffee or cocktail within steps of their appointment.
Seeing your work before booking
With only 2 of 18 salons having a website, customers rely heavily on Instagram portfolios and Google reviews to judge quality before committing.
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 |
|---|---|
| Taylor Weir International School of Hairdressing | Hairdresser |
| Westons | Hairdresser |
| Off chops hair | Hairdresser |
| Hairboss | Hairdresser |
| Uncle Joe's Barber | Hairdresser |
| Patron Barber | Hairdresser |
| Tao Of Hair | Hairdresser |
| Head Studio | Hairdresser |
| Bob's Hair Stylists | Hairdresser |
| Artims Barber Shop | Hairdresser |
| Next Level Barbershop | Hairdresser |
| La Nena | Hairdresser |
Business listings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Claim your Google Business Profile today
With 89% of Northbridge salons lacking a website, your Google listing is likely the first thing potential customers find. Complete every field, upload fresh photos weekly, and respond to every review — it's the cheapest marketing you'll do.
Partner with nearby cafés and bars
Northbridge has 153 restaurants, 97 cafés, and 47 bars within walking distance. Approach a few about cross-promotions: a salon discount card at their counter, a restaurant voucher for your clients. You're drawing from the same foot traffic — share it.
Offer pre-event styling packages
Northbridge is Perth's nightlife hub. Position your salon for group bookings before hen's nights, birthday dinners, and work functions. A simple "night out" package promoted on Instagram can fill weeknight slots that would otherwise sit empty.
Eighteen salons in a compact precinct is moderate competition, though far less crowded than the 300-plus food and drink venues that define the area. The market is heavily under-digitised — only 11% of salons have a website — which creates a clear opening for any operator willing to invest in basic online visibility. There's no saturation of premium or niche salons; Northbridge could support more specialists in creative colouring, men's grooming, or textured and ethnic hair. Standing out here requires more than a good cut. It takes being findable online, keeping hours that match the nightlife crowd, and building partnerships with the surrounding hospitality businesses that drive Northbridge's foot traffic.
See your exact rank against nearby competitors, what customers say about them, and where you can win.