A Nation of Shopkeepers no longer: welcome to Body Beautiful UK plc - 3 August 2004
Ten-year study confirms demise of traditional High Street, as aromatherapists and cosmetic surgeons profit from the UK’s pursuit of stress-free perfectionAromatherapy, cosmetic surgery and dieting and weight control are the UK’s most booming business sectors, according to a new study launched today by Yellow Pages.
The Yellow Pages Alternative Census, the first ever study of business growth and decline within key Yellow Pages business classifications over ten years (1992 – 2002) , reveals that eight out of ten of the sharpest declines are in industries associated with the High Street or the countryside. By contrast, seven of the ten classifications registering the highest increases come from professions catering for beauty and body image, or alternative therapy and stress relief.
Butcher, baker, candlestick maker?
The Yellow Pages Alternative Census shows that Greengrocers suffered the greatest percentage decrease of classification listings during the ten years studied, down by 59%, followed by Butchers (-40%), Hardware Retailers (-34%), Farmers (-29%), Gamekeepers (-21%), Bakers (-20%) and Carpenters & Joiners (-16%). Of the nursery rhyme trio only the candlestick maker has seen boom times, with entries in the Candles classification showing more than a glimmer of growth, up by 208%.
In comparison, lifestyle classifications have registered phenomenal growth. Aromatherapy listings increased by a staggering 5,200%, with Cosmetic Surgery (+1,780%), Dieting & Weight Control (+1,445%), Make Up Artists & Services (+1007%), Reflexology (+829%), Alexander Technique – the self improvement method - (+724%) and Saunas & Sunbeds (+299%) also enjoying a more than healthy rise in numbers.
Not only is it the physical aspect of good health which is rising in popularity, mental wellbeing is also becoming increasingly important. Entries for Psychotherapy & Analysis have increased by 204% since 1992 while demand for Counselling & Advice saw a 93% rise. The number of Therapists listed has nearly doubled, and the number of Hypnotherapists has risen by 129%.
Inwards and Upwards
Of the fledgling classifications entering Yellow Pages since 1992, fastest growing is Shiatsu Practitioners up by 3,100% since 1996. Other high risers include Nutritionists (+969%), Fitness Equipment (+759%), Yoga (+635%), Farm Shops (+623%) and Internet & Web Design (+75%).
Richard Duggleby, head of external relations at Yell, publisher of Yellow Pages directories said: “As the most comprehensive shop window for UK businesses and services, Yellow Pages is perfectly positioned to reflect shifting social and economic trends based on changing patterns of commerce.”
Dr Tim Leunig, Lecturer in Economic History, London School of Economics, who analysed the figures, said: “Just as changes to the Oxford English Dictionary reflect the evolution of language, changes to the classifications in Yellow Pages reflect the evolution of business and are an equally valid tool for social scientists.
“In the last ten years businesses have responded to the new opportunities arising from rising incomes and new technologies. But if we’re no longer a nation of butchers, bakers and candlestick makers, what are we?”
“It seems we’ve not only moved beyond the basic necessities of life, but almost beyond goods themselves, so the areas of growth are things that make us feel better about ourselves. Rather than trying to keep up with the Jones’s, we’re running to keep up with ourselves and with the pressures of modern life.”
For further information please contact:
The RED Consultancy:
- Jon Cope, tel: 020 7465 6415
- Simon Bear, tel: 020 7465 6415
The Yell PR Department
- Susannah Finn , tel: 0118 950 6650
- Emma Smailes, tel: 0118 950 6444
Summary of key classification changes, 1992 - 2002:
|
|
| %increase Classification %decrease |
| +5200% Greengrocers-59% |
| +1780% Butchers-40% |
| +1445% Coppersmiths-35% |
| +1007% Hardware Retailers-34% |
| +829% Farmers-29% |
| +724% Insurance Brokers-26% |
| +601% Gamekeepers-21% |
| +546% Bakers-20% |
| +356% Clinics-18% |
| +299% Carpenters & Joiners-16% |
Fastest growing new entrants, 1992 - 2002:
| Classification | % increase since entering Yellow Pages | Year of entry |
| Shiatsu Practitioners | +3,100% | 1996 |
| Nutritionists | +969% | 2000 |
| Fitness Equipment | +759% | 2000 |
| Yoga | +635% | 2000 |
| Farm Shops | +623% | 1996 |
| Health Centres | +283% | 2000 |
| Image Consultants | +242% | 1996 |
| Internet Web Design | +75% | 2000 |
Yellow Pages
Yellow Pages directories are published by Yell, a leading international directories business operating in the classified advertising market through printed, online and telephone–based media. Yell’s brands in the UK are Yellow Pages and Business Pages, Yell.com and Yellow Pages 118 24 7 and in the US, Yellow Book and Yellowbook.com, all of which are trademarks.
From Employment to Education – more key findings from the Yellow Pages Alternative Census
In line with government structure the Alternative Census also analysed key changes in individual ‘ministries’ – focusing on specific areas of British life, including:
Employment
Image problem? Sorted!
- Service sector growth overall recorded significant growth. The number of Financial Advisors Yellow Pages increased by 79%, while Employment Agencies & Consultants went up by 63%. Other service industries to register a rise included Public Relations Consultants (+34%) and Management & Business Consultants (+36%)
- In contrast, despite the on-going property boom Carpenters & Joiners and Plumbers recorded a 16% drop in numbers during the ten year period, with Builders Merchants & Electricians recording just 0.7% and 2% growth respectively
Health
Alternative therapy?
- Analysis also reveals massive rises in the number of entries for Reflexology - 829%, the Alexander Technique - 724%, Chiropractors – 157% and Herbalists – 123%
Environment
A nation of recyclers?
- In the decade analysed entries under the Recycling classification climbed by a dramatic 356% - the single largest rise in the environmental listings studied. Environmental Consultants also registered a significant growth of 213%. Energy Conservation Consultants increased by 76% and Pollution Control listings grew by 38%
- Bucking the trend, entries for Waste Paper Merchants and Waste Products – Reclaimers were down by 52% and 28% respectively
Education
Private enterprise?
- From 1992 to 2002 entries under Tutoring increased by 601%, the single biggest increase in education classifications analysed by the Alternative Census
- This trend is also reflected in a 63% rise in the numbers of Independent Schools and Colleges listed in Yellow Pages directories in the last ten years. Compared to a rise of just 3% in the Schools & Colleges listing
Housing
It’s not boom for all
- Despite the bricks and mortar bonanza of the last decade the number of Estate Agents brokering the deals has stayed stable – with a tiny 0.08% variance. However, Mortgage Broker listings increased by 97%
Transport
More mileage from your motor?
- Despite our reluctance to relinquish cars in favour of public transport, Garage entries have decreased by 13% since 1992. Breakdown Assistance has also declined by 3%, while Car Security entries have stalled, with a minor downward turn of 0.2%. However the demise of Scrap Metal Merchants has been far more substantial, with the number falling by just over 33%
