measures taken in 2009 due to economic downturn
reduced the numBer
of hourS Worked
By emPloyeeS
76%
35%
reduced the
numBer of
emPloyeeS
56%
30%
reduced
SPA oPerAtIon
hourS
45%
16%
ShIfted full-tIme
StAff to
PArt-tIme StAff
39%
19%
rESorT/hoTEL
aLL oThEr SPaS
reduced
emPloyee
comPenSAtIon
28%
15%
reduced the
Amount of
BenefItS ProvIded
cloSed for one or
more AddItIonAl
dAyS of the Week
emPloyed more
IndePendent
contrActorS
none
of the
ABove
22%
16%
12%
8%
10%
11%
13%
41%
industry followed suit. Spa revenues grew
The 2010 u.S. Spa industry Study
from $4.2 billion in 1999 to $12.8 billion
reported on the impact the recession
“...as the U.S.
in 2008; visits more than doubled in
had on the spa industry. it
economy became more
the same period, from 69 million
commented how “no business
prosperous
in
the
early
years
to 160 million; and the number
has been left unscathed by the
of spas grew five-fold to
recession”—the spa industry
of the 21st century, the spa
21,300. in fact, estimates
was no exception. The data
industry followed suit.
showed that only one in five
for 2009 (gathered in the 2010
Spa revenues grew from $4.2 billion survey) showed a fall in all
of the spas open in america
in 2008 actually existed less
five of the industry’s ‘Big
in 1999 to $12.8 billion in 2008;
than a decade before in 1999.
five’ statistics—a first (and
visits more than doubled in the
But in the midst of record
thankfully yet unrepeated
same period, from 69 million
figures, troubled waters were
record) for iSPa’s annual study.
to 160 million; and the number
close by. in 2009, the u.S. found
The impact on the number
itself facing the deepest, most
of
people
attending
spas
of spas grew five-fold
prolonged recession since the
was immediate and significant.
to 21,300.”
1930s—all
the
major
economic
consumers had less money to spend and
indicators were negative. Gross Domestic
a 10 percent fall in spa visits reinforced the
Product (GDP) tumbled 2.6 percent and the rate of job
industry’s position as a barometer for consumer
losses was close to 4 percent. unemployment doubled and
behavior. While annual revenue fell sharply (4.3 percent), it’s
income and personal expenditure dropped.
likely that many who stopped attending spas were not their
APriL
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