Quantcast
Channel: Retail – Hairdresser Power

To Boutique or Not to Boutique

0
0

Many salons have branched out in the retail arena and have included much more than just hair care or even beauty products. Wander into some establishments and find a full array of everything from candles to jewelry, scarves, clothing and even handbags.

Some salon owners swear by the merchandizing tactics and have dedicated a fair amount of retail space for salon clients to browse. Many have found great success with offering other wares and some have even branched out and added onto the salon or even eliminated a few stations to make room for merchandise.

Other salon owners claim that it’s a waste of time, space and selling opportunity for hair care or even hair services. They feel the real opportunity is with more busy stations and simple shelving packed with hair products and tools to support the craft.

What’s your take? Would your clients like to see a wider range of products beyond just hair, skin and nail care or would additional offerings simply gather dust?

The post To Boutique or Not to Boutique appeared first on Hairdresser Power.


A Better Way to Retail

0
0

If you are a salon owner it will come as no surprise to you that retail sales in a salon are struggling. It’s a fact: 7 out of 10 guests leave a salon without ever having a conversation about home hair care. Salon owners who have booth renters often struggle with their retail sales business because unlike an employee, booth renters are not required to sell home care products, and frankly many feel that it’s not worth the effort. Therefore, I think it is time to look at this differently.

If you are a booth renter you are an independent business person who provides services for your clients in a salon. Like all business people you have to be sure to give excellent customer service and make sure your clients are happy and come back. As a business person, you have the responsibility of keeping your place of business open and the bills paid. Or said differently, paying your rent. Clients do leave for one reason or another, and it is often nothing to do with you or the service you offer, it just happens. You have to be sure that you have given them exceptional customer service. . . and that includes home care recommendations.

There are many proponents and opponents of the freedom and restrictions of booth rental but that is not the topic of discussion today. For or against, the fact is that whether you have clients or not, the rent stays the same and has to be paid. You and the salon owner share the same concern in this matter and if we stop for a minute and ask, “How can we help one another pay the rent?” We can see that there is common ground, so let’s look closer.

OK, salon owner. . . . You can make more money from the sale of home care products (retail). What if you gave a rent credit to your booth renter for every product they sold? How much that credit is worth, is between the two of you. Sound interesting? Let’s step it up a notch.
OK booth renter. . . . You may not have the time to spend discussing home care products with your client, because the next client is waiting and you gotta go! What if someone who is specially trained and certified to give home care product recommendations could do it for you and you were compensated on any sale they make?

It’s an idea whose time has come and I welcome your comments . . . . . more to come.

The post A Better Way to Retail appeared first on Hairdresser Power.

Turning Problem Solving Into Retail Sales

0
0

We all know that more retail sales equals more profit but do you know that your conversation with your client is where the sale starts? It’s true! Initiating conversion when a client is having their treatment / service allows you to gain their trust while analyzing their at-home hair care and styling needs.

It’s also an opportunity to subtly plant product suggestions for easier or better at-home care. It just takes a little time and effort to master the process while jump-starting your retail sales bottom line.

Product Informed
First, get to know the products your salon offers and their capabilities so you can effectively recommend the best solutions for your clients. Read the labels, visit the brand’s website, try things out to get a feel for what it can do and then make note for later. This is part of the education process that will help you become a better retailer.

Assumption Free
Dismiss any personal beliefs you may have about pricing for the salon’s retail offering or make assumptions about what the client can or cannot afford. Your responsibility to is to recommend the best possible solutions for their needs, to point out the differences over less expensive or “drug-store” brands and then let the client decide from there. Your attitude and enthusiasm for the product does play a factor so make sure you are conveying the right message to your clients.

Pay Attention
It’s always important to understand as much as you can about the client rather than make assumptions or offer a generic sales pitch. Make an effort to get to know their hair, how it behaves, problem areas or even struggles the client may have when styling at home. Ask your client what’s important to them when it comes to product performance or what their specific hair care needs may be, that way you can unlock their key reason for accepting a sale. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their styling and daily care regime and what areas they feel could use some help.

Subtlety is Key
This is where problem solving comes in. Offer styling tips, techniques, as well as products and tools to help solve any issues they may be having. Show them the steps you use to style their hair and offer better ways they can do the same thing for themselves at home. Now that you’ve offered up some (free) advice, it will be much easier for them to step up with purchasing retail when they check out.

Also, remember to communicate the importance of using high quality products on their hair and why it’s vital to buy products from the salon versus online or at the drugstore / supermarket. And when clients do make a purchase, thank them for supporting a local (likely small) business. A little thanks really can go a long way!

The post Turning Problem Solving Into Retail Sales appeared first on Hairdresser Power.





Latest Images