The Indicator: Sales at beauty salons grew at a 5.4% rate the last two years.
What It Means: In downturns, most Americans frequent salons and barbershops less frequently, ditch the expensive hair treatments and do away with the pricey gels and creams. But the industry witnessed record highs in same-store sales increases last year, and 34% of salons said they hired employees over the last two years. One salon in North Carolina said that several customers who used to visit every five weeks — but started coming in every seven weeks during the recession — are now back to their pre-recession frequency.