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How to Open a Barbershop in 2026 — Complete Business Plan

Everything you need: startup costs, profit calculator, equipment sourcing from verified Alibaba suppliers, location strategy, and marketing playbook.

Mark de Vries
Hospitality & Sourcing Lead
Published Updated 18 min read

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The barbershop industry continues to grow steadily, driven by the male grooming trend and the “barbershop experience” culture. With an average investment of €15,000–40,000 and monthly profit potential of €3,000–8,000, a barbershop remains one of the most accessible brick-and-mortar businesses to start.

This guide covers everything from initial investment and profit projections to equipment sourcing and marketing strategy. Use the interactive calculator below to model your specific scenario.

Startup Cost Breakdown

ItemLow EstimateHigh EstimateNotes
Lease deposit (3 months)€3,600€9,000Depends on city
Renovation & fit-out€5,000€15,000Mirrors, flooring, lighting
Barber chairs (3)€570€3,000Alibaba verified suppliers
Tools & equipment€800€2,000Clippers, scissors, stations
POS system & software€300€800—
Initial supplies€500€1,200Products, towels, capes
Marketing & signage€500€2,000—
Legal & licensing€300€1,000—
Working capital (3 months)€3,000€8,000Buffer for slow start
Total€14,570€42,000

Recommended Equipment

AccessoryTianjin Fayean

Luxmars Hydraulic Barber Chair, 360° Swivel

€125

Tianjin Fayean
View on Alibaba
AccessoryHIENA

HIENA Cordless Clipper & T-blade Trimmer Set

€13

HIENA
View on Alibaba
AccessoryAlibaba supplier

Double-Sided Oval LED Barber Mirror Station

€246

Alibaba supplier
View on Alibaba
AccessoryOutstar Office Furniture

Barber Shop Waiting Bench, 1-3 Seater

€53

Outstar Office Furniture
View on Alibaba

Location Strategy

Good Signs

  • High foot traffic near shopping areas, gyms, or universities
  • Limited competition within a 1km radius
  • Visible street-level location with parking nearby
  • Growing residential area with young professionals
  • Near complementary businesses (cafes, gyms, clothing stores)

Red Flags

  • More than 3 barbershops within 500 meters
  • Declining foot traffic or closed storefronts nearby
  • Hard-to-find location with no street visibility
  • Very high rent without proportional foot traffic
  • Area with rapidly declining population or income
Interactive tool

Run your own numbers

Barbershop Profit Calculator

Your Numbers

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€
€

Projections

Est. Monthly Revenue€8,712
Est. Monthly Profit-€488
Break-even-51 months
Customers/Month396
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Frequently Asked Questions

A typical barbershop costs between €14,500 and €42,000 to open, depending on location, number of chairs, and renovation scope. The biggest costs are the lease deposit, fit-out, and working capital.

Most barbershops reach break-even within 6–12 months. With 3 chairs at €22 average price, you can expect monthly profit of €3,000–8,000 once fully ramped up.

A 3-chair barbershop typically serves 18 customers per day (6 per chair). At €22 per haircut, that generates around €8,700 in monthly revenue.

Essential equipment includes hydraulic barber chairs (€125–€1,000 each), professional clippers, mirror stations, a waiting area bench, and a POS system. You can source quality equipment from verified Alibaba suppliers.

Yes. Most countries require a business license, health & safety permits, and often a barber or cosmetology license. Requirements vary by location — check your local regulations.

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