A barber shop is a retail establishment where customers can get their hair cut or shaved by a professional barber. This usage type does not include hair stylists or beauty salons; the main business must be the cutting of hair rather than styling or coloring, although those services may be offered as well.

Cutting or shaving must be the main business. Styling and coloring can accompany that work without being the principal service.

A beauty salon or hair-styling business has a different service emphasis. The presence of a barber chair alone does not determine the principal activity.