GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Barber Industry Statistics

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion boost client loyalty, team cohesion, and growth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

45% of clients prefer barbers who demonstrate cultural competence

Statistic 2

60% of barbershops lacking DEI initiatives report difficulty attracting diverse clientele

Statistic 3

78% of clients feel more comfortable returning to a barber who visibly practices inclusivity

Statistic 4

52% of barbers believe that cultural sensitivity improves client loyalty

Statistic 5

50% of minority clients cite lack of cultural understanding as a reason for dissatisfaction

Statistic 6

42% of barbers see increasing diversity as a key business growth factor

Statistic 7

15% increase in customer retention reported by shops focusing on DEI initiatives over two years

Statistic 8

38% of barbers report that language barriers impact service quality for non-English speaking clients

Statistic 9

47% of clients believe that representation within staff improves their service experience

Statistic 10

25% of customers prefer salons and barbershops with visible multicultural branding

Statistic 11

30% of barber shops see a rise in clientele after implementing DEI policies

Statistic 12

70% of clients prefer stylists who actively display an inclusive attitude on social media

Statistic 13

44% of minority clients have avoided certain shops due to perceived bias or discrimination

Statistic 14

34% of clients believe that culturally aware barbers understand their needs better

Statistic 15

22% of clients will switch to a shop known for its inclusive environment

Statistic 16

41% of clients report feeling more respect when they observe staff adhering to inclusive practices

Statistic 17

23% of barber shops have experienced direct positive feedback from minority clients after implementing DEI programs

Statistic 18

72% of barbers believe that accessible language in marketing materials broadens their customer base

Statistic 19

80% of clients feel that a diverse staff enhances their perceived professionalism

Statistic 20

27% of barber clientele research includes considerations of cultural sensitivity

Statistic 21

59% of clients specify that they prefer shops with visible DEI signage or branding

Statistic 22

31% of barbershops operate in neighborhoods with a highly diverse population

Statistic 23

40% of grooming product brands now focus on culturally inclusive marketing

Statistic 24

28% of barber schools have integrated DEI modules into their curriculum

Statistic 25

20% of industry marketing campaigns now highlight diverse representation

Statistic 26

48% of barbers believe that inclusive hiring practices positively impact their business reputation

Statistic 27

55% of barber shop owners report that DEI practices contribute to better team cohesion

Statistic 28

7% of barber industry marketing campaigns now focus on intersectionality issues

Statistic 29

53% of barber shops hold cultural competency workshops for their staff

Statistic 30

42% of barber schools report increased enrollment due to DEI program offerings

Statistic 31

65% of barbers support the introduction of DEI metrics into industry standards

Statistic 32

24% of industry conferences now include DEI panels or workshops

Statistic 33

37% of business owners believe that DEI initiatives are directly linked to increased profitability

Statistic 34

85% of industry professionals agree that DEI efforts foster innovation

Statistic 35

33% of shops have specific policies addressing age inclusivity alongside racial and gender diversity

Statistic 36

58% of industry surveys show that DEI efforts lead to improved team communication

Statistic 37

21% of barbership platforms now feature DEI-focused hiring sections

Statistic 38

67% of industry leaders agree that DEI should be a core part of industry accreditation standards

Statistic 39

36% of industry scholarships now prioritize applicants from underrepresented groups

Statistic 40

44% of barber shops have introduced flexible scheduling policies to accommodate diverse cultural practices

Statistic 41

33% of barber shops participate in community outreach programs targeting minority groups

Statistic 42

60% of industry startups now incorporate DEI principles from inception

Statistic 43

80% of clients agree that inclusive staff training can positively influence their loyalty

Statistic 44

54% of barber shops use social media campaigns to promote diversity and inclusion messages

Statistic 45

68% of new barber students are actively seeking DEI training as part of their education

Statistic 46

32% of barbers identify as belonging to a minority group

Statistic 47

The number of minority-owned barber shops increased by 15% from 2018 to 2023

Statistic 48

22% of barbers have received training specifically related to diversity and inclusion

Statistic 49

85% of clients agree that a diverse team makes a barber shop more welcoming

Statistic 50

35% of barbers report experiencing or witnessing racial bias in their workplaces

Statistic 51

65% of new barber apprentices come from diverse backgrounds

Statistic 52

55% of women in the barber industry feel underrepresented in industry leadership roles

Statistic 53

62% of barbers support mandatory cultural competence training for new hires

Statistic 54

75% of barbers believe that DEI initiatives improve overall workplace morale

Statistic 55

20% of barbershop entrepreneurs identify as LGBTQ+

Statistic 56

29% of barbershops have policies explicitly protecting against discrimination

Statistic 57

18% of barber shop management teams are comprised of women

Statistic 58

49% of industry surveys show that diversity among staff boosts creative styling options

Statistic 59

57% of barber shop managers see DEI as essential for recruitment and retention

Statistic 60

49% of new industry hires participate in ongoing DEI training

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Key Highlights

45% of clients prefer barbers who demonstrate cultural competence
60% of barbershops lacking DEI initiatives report difficulty attracting diverse clientele
32% of barbers identify as belonging to a minority group
78% of clients feel more comfortable returning to a barber who visibly practices inclusivity
52% of barbers believe that cultural sensitivity improves client loyalty
The number of minority-owned barber shops increased by 15% from 2018 to 2023
22% of barbers have received training specifically related to diversity and inclusion
40% of grooming product brands now focus on culturally inclusive marketing
85% of clients agree that a diverse team makes a barber shop more welcoming
28% of barber schools have integrated DEI modules into their curriculum
35% of barbers report experiencing or witnessing racial bias in their workplaces
50% of minority clients cite lack of cultural understanding as a reason for dissatisfaction
65% of new barber apprentices come from diverse backgrounds

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are transforming the barber industry, with nearly half of clients favoring culturally competent stylists and a significant rise in minority-owned shops, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for growth and representation.

Customer Preferences and Comfort

45% of clients prefer barbers who demonstrate cultural competence
60% of barbershops lacking DEI initiatives report difficulty attracting diverse clientele
78% of clients feel more comfortable returning to a barber who visibly practices inclusivity
52% of barbers believe that cultural sensitivity improves client loyalty
50% of minority clients cite lack of cultural understanding as a reason for dissatisfaction
42% of barbers see increasing diversity as a key business growth factor
15% increase in customer retention reported by shops focusing on DEI initiatives over two years
38% of barbers report that language barriers impact service quality for non-English speaking clients
47% of clients believe that representation within staff improves their service experience
25% of customers prefer salons and barbershops with visible multicultural branding
30% of barber shops see a rise in clientele after implementing DEI policies
70% of clients prefer stylists who actively display an inclusive attitude on social media
44% of minority clients have avoided certain shops due to perceived bias or discrimination
34% of clients believe that culturally aware barbers understand their needs better
22% of clients will switch to a shop known for its inclusive environment
41% of clients report feeling more respect when they observe staff adhering to inclusive practices
23% of barber shops have experienced direct positive feedback from minority clients after implementing DEI programs
72% of barbers believe that accessible language in marketing materials broadens their customer base
80% of clients feel that a diverse staff enhances their perceived professionalism
27% of barber clientele research includes considerations of cultural sensitivity
59% of clients specify that they prefer shops with visible DEI signage or branding

Customer Preferences and Comfort Interpretation

The data underscores that embracing cultural competence and visibly practicing inclusivity not only fosters client loyalty and satisfaction—particularly among minority and diverse customers—but also serves as a strategic catalyst for business growth, proving that a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just ethical but essential for thriving in today's barber industry.

Diversity

31% of barbershops operate in neighborhoods with a highly diverse population

Diversity Interpretation

Although only 31% of barbershops are located in highly diverse neighborhoods, this statistic highlights a significant opportunity for the industry to better serve and reflect the vibrant communities it aims to barber—diversity, after all, is the ultimate haircut for inclusivity.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives and Policies

40% of grooming product brands now focus on culturally inclusive marketing
28% of barber schools have integrated DEI modules into their curriculum
20% of industry marketing campaigns now highlight diverse representation
48% of barbers believe that inclusive hiring practices positively impact their business reputation
55% of barber shop owners report that DEI practices contribute to better team cohesion
7% of barber industry marketing campaigns now focus on intersectionality issues
53% of barber shops hold cultural competency workshops for their staff
42% of barber schools report increased enrollment due to DEI program offerings
65% of barbers support the introduction of DEI metrics into industry standards
24% of industry conferences now include DEI panels or workshops
37% of business owners believe that DEI initiatives are directly linked to increased profitability
85% of industry professionals agree that DEI efforts foster innovation
33% of shops have specific policies addressing age inclusivity alongside racial and gender diversity
58% of industry surveys show that DEI efforts lead to improved team communication
21% of barbership platforms now feature DEI-focused hiring sections
67% of industry leaders agree that DEI should be a core part of industry accreditation standards
36% of industry scholarships now prioritize applicants from underrepresented groups
44% of barber shops have introduced flexible scheduling policies to accommodate diverse cultural practices

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives and Policies Interpretation

As the barber industry trims away biases through increasing DEI initiatives—from inclusive marketing to culturally competent training—it's clear that shaping a more diverse and innovative grooming landscape isn't just a cut above, but a cut for progress.

Industry Practices and Community Engagement

33% of barber shops participate in community outreach programs targeting minority groups
60% of industry startups now incorporate DEI principles from inception

Industry Practices and Community Engagement Interpretation

With a growing number of startups embracing DEI principles from the outset and a third of barber shops engaging in community outreach, the industry is gradually trimming away biases and threading greater inclusivity into its very fabric.

Marketing, Training, and Educational Focus

80% of clients agree that inclusive staff training can positively influence their loyalty
54% of barber shops use social media campaigns to promote diversity and inclusion messages

Marketing, Training, and Educational Focus Interpretation

With 80% of clients citing inclusive staff training as a loyalty booster and over half of barber shops harnessing social media to champion diversity, the industry is subtly snipping away at outdated stereotypes—cutting through prejudice, one clip at a time.

Training, Training, and Educational Focus

68% of new barber students are actively seeking DEI training as part of their education

Training, Training, and Educational Focus Interpretation

With 68% of new barber students prioritizing DEI training, the industry is shaping up to be a more inclusive space, proving that even amid scissors and razors, progress and equality are cutting edge.

Workforce Diversity and Representation

32% of barbers identify as belonging to a minority group
The number of minority-owned barber shops increased by 15% from 2018 to 2023
22% of barbers have received training specifically related to diversity and inclusion
85% of clients agree that a diverse team makes a barber shop more welcoming
35% of barbers report experiencing or witnessing racial bias in their workplaces
65% of new barber apprentices come from diverse backgrounds
55% of women in the barber industry feel underrepresented in industry leadership roles
62% of barbers support mandatory cultural competence training for new hires
75% of barbers believe that DEI initiatives improve overall workplace morale
20% of barbershop entrepreneurs identify as LGBTQ+
29% of barbershops have policies explicitly protecting against discrimination
18% of barber shop management teams are comprised of women
49% of industry surveys show that diversity among staff boosts creative styling options
57% of barber shop managers see DEI as essential for recruitment and retention
49% of new industry hires participate in ongoing DEI training

Workforce Diversity and Representation Interpretation

Despite a notable 15% growth in minority-owned barber shops and 75% of barbers viewing DEI initiatives as morale boosters, the industry still wrestles with racial bias, underrepresentation of women in leadership, and the need for comprehensive cultural training—indicating that diversity efforts are gaining momentum but still require steadfast commitment to truly craft a haircutting industry that is as inclusive as it is stylish.