On the one hand, the profession of a barber is going through a crisis: the number of clients in large networks is falling, and some establishments are closing. On the other hand, the total number of barbershops in the country continues to grow, and the incomes of private barbers are breaking records. Therefore, the short answer is: this is not a dying profession, but it is going through a painful transformation, and not everyone will survive. Why is a crisis being talked about The main blow to the industry was not fashion, but the economy. In 2026, the tax burden in Russia changed sharply: the threshold for exemption from VAT was reduced from 60 to 20 million rubles, and the rate itself increased to 22%. To compensate for expenses, barbershops raised prices (the average check increased by 14-16%), but customers did not start paying more. People began to save: if before men were shaved every 3-4 weeks, now the interval is stretched to 5-8 weeks, and some are going to cheaper hairdressers. As a result, in the first quarter of 2026, the number of checks in large networks fell by almost a quarter (22%). For example, in St. Petersburg, they predict the closure of up to 20% of barbershops by the end of the year. The situation is exacerbated by oversaturation: over the past few years, too many points have opened, and they compete for the same client. Why the profession is not dying Despite these problems, barbering remains attractive. According to geoservices, the number of barbershops in million-plus cities has increased by 43% over three years. This is the fastest-growing segment of the beauty industry, while ordinary hairdressers, on the contrary, are shrinking. Moreover, private barbers (those who work for themselves, not in a salon) have been in a huge plus. Their income increased by 35.4% over the year, reaching an average of 164 thousand rubles per month. People are willing to pay for quality and convenience, but prefer to do so directly with the master, not t ... Read more