~ Why Are Shanghai Barber Shops Disappearing? ~

Once upon a time, “Shanghai Barber Shops” were a staple in every corner of Hong Kong, found near almost every housing estate. With polite hospitality, classic chairs, and full-service treatments including shaving and massage, this barber culture provided a “healing time” for many. However… In recent years, these Shanghai Barber Shops have been rapidly vanishing. 😢

Why is this classic institution fading away? Behind this decline lie several major social and cultural shifts.

✅ 1. The Reality of Succession Crises 🧓➡👶

Skilled craftsmen have long supported Shanghai Barber Shops. However, many of them are now aging. Meanwhile, the younger generation faces different realities:

Rising rates of higher education.
Diversification of career views.
Psychological hurdles to taking over a parent’s trade.

For these reasons, the number of people inheriting barber businesses has plummeted. Even long-established shops are closing down with regrets, saying, “My children won’t take over.” “The skills exist, but the successors do not.” This typical succession crisis is quietly eroding the industry.

✅ 2. Changing Lifestyles and the Sense of Time ⏳💼

Modern life is incredibly busy! Work, housework, childcare, social media, commuting… In this rush, the demand for “haircut time” has shifted to “as short and easy as possible.”

The “relaxing time” offered by Shanghai Barber Shops—shampooing, face shaving, massage, and tea service—is now often perceived as “luxurious” but “inefficient.” “Taking time and care” used to be a strength. Now, it has become a reason for avoidance: “It takes too long and is too much hassle.”

✅ 3. The Arrival of the Formidable “10-Minute Cut” 💨✂️

“QB House,” which emerged in Japan in 1996, shook the barber industry with its clear concept: “10 minutes, 1,200 Yen.” Today, with over 700 stores (as of 2024) domestically and internationally, its “rationality of omitting unnecessary services” has gained massive support. Users often say:

“I don’t need shampoo or shaving. I just want to get it done fast.”
“I feel intimidated by beauty salons, but I can easily enter a QB House.”

This indicates a clear demographic that is “satisfied with the minimum.” With the rise of such new business models, the value of “Barbering = Full Service” has gradually become a minority preference.

🔍 Summary: The Dilemma of “Carefulness” Swallowed by the Times

The decline of Shanghai Barber Shops is not just an industry trend; it is a mirror reflecting changes in societal values and lifestyles.

Craftsman Culture → Diversification of Careers
Quality Time → Emphasis on Speed and Efficiency
Full Service → Minimum Service

In short, the structure is such that “former strengths” have now become headwinds.

(To be continued…)

[Read the previous series here: Marketing Seed 102: Relationship between TPO and Marketing (Part 1)]