Hair Care News

More Ideas on Improving Salon Business

Posted on January 19, 2010 with No Comments

Though business had its usual “kicker” around the holidays, our contacts in the idustry continue to report business is down approximately 30-50% over levels in 2007.  This of course is function of location, clientele, and perceived quality by the surrounding community, but it is still a very low number.

Making Salon Business Better

All of us have been fighting to increase business, traffic flow, product sales and client retention.  Through-out this blog, I have written a number of posts on ideas that are worth considering.  Take a look around and you might find something that will work well for you – or you might find several ideas that, when used in conjunction, can bring sales and revenue to pre-recession levels.

One idea that I noticed recently (that hits on the perception of your local marketplace) is the idea of upfitting your shop.  One of the local salons – large volume and mid-market – undertook a “facelift”.

So, what do I mean by a “facelift”?

Well, first of all, I don’t mean a re-build.  What I observed was the owners re-painting the out side and inside.  Adding some startegic plants, putting-up new artwork, replacing aged promotional banners and signs, and reorganizing product displays…and replacing their signage.

This took a couple of weekends to complete and I doubt the cost was too much.  I looked like DIY project.  The building does not look materially different, but fresh, clean and vibrant.  I’m guessing the new sign cost ~$1,000-$3,000, but the remainder of the work was probably done on a budget of less than $1,000 – a true HGTV makeover!

Following the changes and upgrades, the owners placed an elegant, yet inexpensive banner outside (approved by the city of course) announcing “A New Year, A new Look!”, with an invitation to a ”Grand Re-Opening” .  They invited customers, guests, and some local well-known celebrities out for a drop-in.  They have free drinks, snacks, and a photographer for pictures in the local paper and their website.

Overall, it was a great, innovative idea and proved to be a “design on a dime” success!

Good Luck…and please pass on your ideas and comments.  Thanks