Opening a beauty salon in Richmond, VIC: Market & Competitor Analysis (2026)

Twenty-seven beauty salons currently operate in Richmond. That's a high concentration relative to the suburb's 17,671 residents—roughly one salon per 655 people. In practical terms, this means customers have substantial choice, but new entrants will face direct competition for the same client base rather than opening in an underserved area.

The market presents mixed prospects. Richmond scores 89/100 on market opportunity and 55/100 on strategic viability. The high opportunity reflects strong local demand, but the strategique score flags structural challenges. Success depends on differentiation rather than location advantage alone. The market can absorb new entrants, but not without a clear positioning against existing firms.

Hues Hair Salon Richmond leads by scale (131 reviews, 4.9★), followed by Brow Vibe (5★, 75 reviews) and Aura Radiance Beauty & Hair Salon (4.8★, 21 reviews). These three have established customer bases and strong ratings. The broader competitor strength index sits at 45/100, indicating no single dominant operator controls the market.

Weekly household income averages $2,577, translating to roughly $134,000 annually. This is solid middle-class purchasing power with capacity for regular salon services. The demographic. Treat this pricing or positioning recommendation as a hypothesis to test, not proof of premium pricing, profit, margins or guaranteed market share. Household income is context, not actual customer spending or willingness to pay.

Start by auditing the 27 existing salons: their service mix, price points, location clusters, and customer reviews. Map gaps—underserved postcodes, unmet service niches, or poor online ratings among competitors. Use this intelligence to position differently. Second, validate demand in your chosen niche through local surveys before securing a lease, given the high competitive density.