Though economic pressures in the U.S. cause belt-tightening in many areas, men’s grooming has continued to thrive.
That’s according to the barber booking and management app SQUIRE, which recently released its 2026 State of the Barbershop Industry Report. The study uses the company's proprietary data to analyze trends based on more than 13.9 million appointments in more than 7K barbershops in the U.S. between 2025 and 2026.
The stats show continued growth in American barbershops, with key drivers including rising service prices, strong customer retention, and adoption of AI-powered business support tech such as online booking and task automation.
“Today's top-performing barbers and owners wear more hats than ever,” the report says. “Managers, marketers, community leaders, customer experience liaisons, business owners, and content creators. The chair is just where it starts.”
According to the study, haircut prices have risen 97.5% since 2000. The average barbershop haircut in the U.S. now costs $43, ranging from $35 in the Midwest to $45 in the West.
But higher prices are just one piece of the puzzle, says the report, which provides more granular information on the regional level.
The most successful barbershops, it says, are building stronger customer relationships, improving operational efficiency, and leveraging technology to increase retention and maximize revenue.
Key findings and trends include:
1. Barbers Who Embrace Automation Come Out on Top
“The shops at the top of our data set aren't the busiest; they're the most optimized,” the report says, “They know which windows pay, which services move the ticket, and where every hour leaks.”
- Between 72-77% of barbershops now use management software; those businesses see an average 34% revenue lift.
- Shops using automated review systems receive 84% more Google reviews.
- Digital reminders reduce “no show” missed appointments by 89%.
- Barbershops without digital management tools lose an estimated 5-10 hours per week managing administrative tasks that could be automated.
2. Successful Barbers Cater to Client Convenience
- 76% of consumers say booking convenience is just as important as service quality.
- Nearly two-thirds of appointments are booked through self-service; approximately 25% of those bookings happen after 6 p.m.
- Peak haircut demand time has shifted, with the busiest appointment period moving from 5 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- 92% of weekday haircuts occur between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3. Client Rebooking (Not Acquisition) Defines Top Shops
“Across the platform, the shops compounding hardest are the ones building routines,” the report says. “Consistent visits, faster rebook cycles, and a service mix that gives every regular a reason to come back sooner."
- Repeat behavior, not new acquisition, separates the top quartile of shops from the rest of the field.
- Returning clients account for 44.6% of all barbershop visits.
- Clients book with their barber every 48.5 days on average.
“The barbershop has always been one of the most relationship-driven businesses in America, but today’s most successful owners are pairing that personal connection with the tools and insights needed to build stronger businesses,” says Songe LaRon, SQUIRE's Co-Founder and CEO.
“The future of barbering is not about choosing between craftsmanship and technology," he says. "It’s about using AI to empower barbers to spend more time doing what they do best: cutting hair, creating exceptional experiences, building loyal customers, and growing sustainable businesses.”