What's The Deal with Barber Shops Opening up Everywhere?

peterpeterpumpkin on 24/11/2018 - 15:49

In Randwick Council, every second shop that opened up in the past year is a barber. I made that statistic up but it feels about right.

We always had budget men's hairdressers in the area. But now all the barbers look like they're from the 1920s but with hipster beards. And the friendly middle-aged barber is now a twenty-something that looks like he takes himself way too seriously with his trendy little vest and rigid facial expression (just so everyone knows he's a heterosexual).

No need to discuss. Just an observation. If this isn't already a known thing, I'm beating the newspapers at their own game. I read the same trend happened in the UK about 5 years ago.

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • Markmathews on 24/11/2018 - 16:10
    +5

    Simple. Capital is always seeking new markets. Give it a few years and your totally straight bearded and tatted manly man consumer will be having a weekly pedi and debating the suitable size of rectal tampons.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 24/11/2018 - 20:39
      +1

      The trouble is, you can't change your tattoos and ear tunnels like you can your hair and clothes. Today's trendy hipsters will be the next popular subculture's daggy laughing stock.

      If I could be bothered to run them, I'd be opening tattoo removal studios and cosmetic surgery clinics.

      • D C on 24/11/2018 - 20:53
        +3

        I'd be opening tattoo removal studios and cosmetic surgery clinics.

        Psst, check the regulations.

        (What do you mean there aren't any? What a great government we have, removing all that pesky red tape to low the barriers to entry. Suck on that, commies.)

      • Allan Thomas on 25/11/2018 - 21:17

        Good luck with that! The hipsters will be demanding that those services are provided by the taxpayer in private hospitals!

  • hueylewis on 24/11/2018 - 16:33
    +1

    Ever wonder why some of them are empty 90% of the time and yet still manage to pay the rent/mortgage, insurance, water, electricity, rates, stock, wages etc?
    When I was a kid, my old local barber was packed all day every day. Never needed an appointment though, just grabbed a seat and flicked through a mag before getting a trim and a stick of wrigleys spearmint. Recently a new hipster one near me sold other things apart from trims, if you get my drift. It was a respectable front to account for income from 'other sources' When I was a kid it used to be espresso bars. They sold a cup of coffee occasionally to the 3 old dudes sitting there playing cards for matchsticks. Had to account for the cash from, lets say, a side line of agriculture, back in those days. These days I would guess that it has gone from agriculture to chemical sundries. Notice how these days there is a tattoo connection? I would say they have a motor cycle appreciation society attachment as well. If you know what I mean. I am not saying all of the set ups are fronts, but some have 2 or 3 staff sitting around uncontaminated by clients and glued to their phones until closing time. Just an observation.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 24/11/2018 - 20:43
      +2

      I think you're giving them far too much credit. More likely they're just overreacting to the popular trend. Just like Frozen Yoghurt shops were 5 years ago, they're all over the CBD too.

    • Allan Thomas on 25/11/2018 - 21:19

      Yep, they're essentially a cash business, ergo, ideal for money laundering!

  • Halo375 on 24/11/2018 - 16:48
    +2

    Simple. We’re an affluent society who has too much damn money and wants to copy every American fad they can find. Add to that we’re lazy and a resurgence in bearded hipster folk creates a demand for a likely overpriced service.

    • Diji1 on 24/11/2018 - 18:47
      +6

      We’re an affluent society who has too much damn money

      Median income after tax in 2017: 44K so half the county who works has less money coming in than 44K.

      Over 60% of the nation has less than $1000 cash on hand.

      It's correct to say we used to be an affluent society but now most of the money in the economy goes to a small group of people and the economy is stagnating like most neoliberal democracies.

      In some countries this happens:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBEBBdTBTmY

      But many Australians pay little attention to politics and are then forced to vote.

      • Markmathews on 24/11/2018 - 18:52
        +1

        Just remember that hair can be added to compost as brown material

      • Allan Thomas on 25/11/2018 - 21:25

        The education system has been a disgrace for decades. The teachers union is the biggest in the Labor party.
        Gough Whitlams famous cry was "keep 'em in the dark and feed `em bullshit!

        That's been the motif of Labor / Greens ever since!

        Few young people today can think for themselves or see beyond the end of their nose!

  • cnmarine on 24/11/2018 - 17:44

    Because you can't buy a haircut on the internet………and people like to look good. With all the fades and pompadours at ~40-50 a pop, that needs to maintained every 2 weeks, the demand is high.

    • sauce2k6 on 24/11/2018 - 17:52

      I have a fade(like 99% of the male population) and it's true that every two weeks you should get a haircut but I just like the feel and look after a fresh hair cut. Makes me feel so clean too. Saying that I only pay $20 for mine so happy to pay every two weeks. It's the smaller things in life you need to enjoy lolol

      Edit: Oh yeah they do massage my scalp when they wash my hair also :)

      • kiitos on 25/11/2018 - 19:20

        $20 for a haircut with wash and massage? Whereabouts? Sydney I hope!

  • c64 on 24/11/2018 - 18:16

    anyone used "go cut"? they only charge $10 for a cut

  • chrisd262 on 24/11/2018 - 18:55

    The barber in Eastgardens next to woollies is always packed! Sometimes with queue outside the entrance!!

  • [Deactivated] on 24/11/2018 - 19:20
    +5

    a true ozbargainer cuts his/her own hair.

    i've saved millions.

    • nubzy on 24/11/2018 - 20:38

      It's so easy too, and honestly I can do a MUCH better job than many 'professional' cuts i've had in the past.

      • [Deactivated] on 24/11/2018 - 21:05
        +1

        that, and we can all redefine the meaning of 'skinhead', from nazi to cheapskate!

        • Chewie on 25/11/2018 - 08:47
          +4

          In this case, "skint-head"

  • Yummy on 24/11/2018 - 19:59

    Gourmet barber will pop out more like mushrooms.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/11/2018 - 20:36
    +1

    Gen smashed avocado are moving up the corporate ladder.

  • djkelly69 on 24/11/2018 - 20:45
    -2

    I always assumed it was because a barber isn't/doesn't need a qualification (whereas a hairdresser is/does), so they are a cheap business to setup and run.

    If a bloke on $20-$25 an hour can do at least 4 ~$30 haircuts an hour, there should be a good margin there (having looked at absolutely zero other numbers).

    • Seedy seed on 25/11/2018 - 09:14

      You show you have no clue with comments like that..

  • lurkernomore on 25/11/2018 - 09:07

    Immigration scam.

    • Allan Thomas on 25/11/2018 - 21:29

      That too, definitely! Have a look at all the barber shops along George Street in Sydney, Town Hall Station etc. 100% staffed by Muslims with poor English

  • the Unforgiven on 25/11/2018 - 09:13

    What's a barber shop?

    I haven't been to one in 45 years :)

    • chumlee on 25/11/2018 - 09:27
      +1

      It's where Tony Barber and his memorabilia live

  • Ozpit on 25/11/2018 - 09:24
    +1

    As the Ned Kelly look begins to fade (not far off), the start-up barber shops will follow.

  • elgrande on 25/11/2018 - 13:57
    +3

    My grandad was the town butcher. Once the town barber slaughtered/prepared his own cow. From then on my grandad cut his own hair.

    True story.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join