Fewer Clients, Stronger Revenue: Why Salon Pricing Power was the Biggest Q1 Win

Alain Audet, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at SalonInteractive, has shared crucial insights from The KIM Report in a new exclusive article featured on SalonToday.com. The latest Q1 2026 data reveals a fundamental and positive shift in the salon industry: the focus is moving “away from just chasing numbers and toward focusing on quality.”

The report highlights two main industry trends for the first quarter: a predictable seasonal slowdown following the Q4 2025 holiday rush, and a strong, resilient expansion compared to Q1 2025.

The top-level messaging from Audet centers on maximizing value and expertise:

• Pricing Power is Rock-Solid: Despite a decline in total client visits, salon pricing power remained strong. This crucial strength highlights the industry’s resilience. Year-over-year revenue grew by a modest 1.39%, driven primarily by a 3.19% increase in the average service ticket. This increase shows clients are choosing higher-end services when they do visit.
• Color Services Are Carrying Weight: Although color service volume was down from Q4 2025, color’s share of total revenue improved, suggesting it is holding up better than the rest of the business. Audet notes that salons have clients who are “clearly happy to pay a bit more for high-value work, especially when it comes to color.”
• The Game Plan — Focus on Value and Retention: Audet advises salon professionals to embrace the “quality” shift and concentrate on the value delivered. His strategy for 2026 focuses on making every minute count:
  • Salons should maintain focus on service mix and look for technical upgrade opportunities.
  • Ensure their team is ready to deliver an amazing experience.
  • Prioritize client retention and visit frequency before initiating new client acquisition strategies.

To get the complete Q1 2026 story, including a breakdown of performance by key salon size cohorts, read the original article on Salon Today, HERE.