81
36%
Market Overview
Eighty-one hair salons operate across Exeter — a substantial number for a city of 130,000 residents. The market is competitive, with salons vying for attention in a compact urban centre where high foot traffic from shops, cafés, and restaurants can drive walk-in custom. For context, Exeter has 94 restaurants and 77 pubs, placing the salon sector among the city's most populated business categories.
Yet there's a clear gap in how these businesses present themselves. Only 29 of the 81 salons — roughly 36% — have a website. That means over two-thirds of Exeter's hair salons have no web presence at all. In a market this crowded, salons that invest in online visibility have an immediate edge over competitors who remain invisible to anyone searching for a cut or colour in the area.
Notable operators like Fellow's, The Roots Foundation, and Hotrods & Harlots have established websites, signalling a more professional approach to customer acquisition. But the majority are leaving this to chance. For new entrants or existing salons looking to grow, the data points to a straightforward opportunity: the bar for digital presence in Exeter's salon market is low, and clearing it puts you ahead of most local competition.
What Customers in Exeter Care About
Walking distance from the centre
Exeter's compact layout means most customers expect to reach their salon on foot from the High Street, Princesshay, or their workplace — a salon tucked away from these routes needs a stronger reason to draw people in.
A salon they can find online
With only 36% of Exeter salons having a website, customers increasingly rule out businesses they can't look up, check prices on, or book with digitally — making discoverability a deciding factor, not a bonus.
Specific expertise, not generalists
Among 81 competing salons, customers actively search for specialists — curly hair, colour correction, barbering — rather than another generic high street option that does everything moderately well.
Student-friendly pricing and hours
Exeter's large university population means a significant chunk of potential customers are budget-conscious and often need evening or weekend appointments, so salons that cater to this demographic fill a real gap.
Reliable results every visit
In a city where switching salons is easy, customers stay loyal to the places that deliver consistent cuts and colour — not just a great first appointment followed by disappointing follow-ups.
Hair Salons operating in Exeter
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 |
|---|---|
| Fellow's | Hairdresser |
| Head of Hair | Hairdresser |
| Elevate Hair Studio | Hairdresser |
| Viva Hair | Hairdresser |
| The Roots Foundation | Hairdresser |
| Hotrods & Harlots | Hairdresser |
| Amore Hair & Beauty | Hairdresser |
| Prestige Barbershop | Hairdresser |
| Style Works | Hairdresser |
| Exeter Barber Shop | Hairdresser |
| Mirror Hair Design | Hairdresser |
| Topps Hair Co | Hairdresser |
Business listings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Tips for Hair Salons Owners in Exeter
Get online — most of your competitors haven't
Only 29 out of 81 Exeter salons have a website. A basic site with your services, prices, and a booking option immediately separates you from the 52 salons with no web presence. It's the single easiest competitive advantage available in this market.
Position near complementary foot traffic
Exeter has 108 cafés and 94 restaurants driving people through the city centre daily. A salon near these spots benefits from the natural habit of combining a coffee or lunch with an appointment — location strategy matters in a city this size.
Build reputation through reviews, not paid ads
With 81 salons competing locally, paid advertising gets expensive fast and returns are uncertain. Encouraging satisfied customers to leave Google reviews is a lower-cost, higher-trust way to build visibility in a saturated market where word of mouth still carries real weight.
Competition Snapshot
With 81 salons serving Exeter's 130,000 residents, this is a crowded market. Customers have genuine choice, and business owners compete hard for every booking. The sharpest divide isn't price or specialism — it's online visibility. Only 29 salons have a website, leaving 64% invisible to anyone searching. Operators like Fellow's and The Roots Foundation have set the standard, but most haven't followed. No single niche dominates, leaving space for specialists in barbering, colour, or student-focused services. Standing out requires being findable online, delivering consistently, and building a local reputation that keeps customers from shopping around.
Other Industries in Exeter
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