30th July 2026
The future of (salon) retail
Let’s start with AI, does it really have a place in the world of salons trying to successfully retail? The answer is probably NO, unless it’s used to create some fun graphics for socials. The complexity of understanding how to use AI to generate sales leads is too challenging, especially when there are other elements of successful retailing that are easier to deal with.
The topics below have been covered in various blogs over the last 18 months on this blog, apart from the final paragraph ‘Phygital’.
OMNICHANNEL:
The fact is, omnichannel helps keep clients loyal, recent surveys suggest 89% of clients are retained because of businesses offering multi-channel purchasing options. Plus, clients can spend 4% more if e-commerce and m-commerce platforms are available to browse. Salon clients are used to website browsing and salons have to have their own platforms to be seen as successful retailers.
OWN BRAND:
Premium ‘own brand’ products are having a serious growth moment with consumers associating the quality of the product with the name that is attached to them i.e. the name above the door of the salon that they visit!
Own brand products offer a unique proposition and tend to have a higher profit margin for salons.
EXPERIENTIAL MOMENTS:
Personalisation and in-salon experiences continue to expand with consumers (salon clients) looking for tailored experiences that include in-salon services as well as retail recommendations that includes promotional activities as well as pricing. Consumers want more than ‘just a haircut’, they want to enjoy a true experiential moment with their chosen stylist, and that includes in-salon treatments and services, and product advice.
SUBSCRIPTIONS:
This is something that has been introduced in salons across the UK with ‘blow dry clubs’ and similar offers where a client pays a monthly subscription for a given number of services. This can be easily implemented into the retail by offering a subscription based on product used and the average monthly usage of each individual unit. Amazon already does this and it’s a brilliant hook for tying clients into purchasing regularly. Subscriptions are a major retail tend in 2026 and into 2027.
QUIET LUXURY:
A trend that began mid 2026, Quiet Luxury is all about exclusivity and relationships, not only with products but also the individual who recommends them, and as stylists spend more time with their clients than most other retail focussed businesses, this is a growing trend that can easily be introduced into a salons dialogue about products …… ‘as your expert I recommend this because etc etc etc”
PHYGITAL:
The consumers of today, your salon clients, research products before they decide as to whether or not they purchase. Sometimes this research happens before they visit the salon, sometimes it happens whilst sat in the chair. Phygital shopping is growing in popularity as consumers continue to become ever more reliant on technology to help them make decisions. Salons can tap into this approach by offering live tutorials, including product information, info bytes, cool graphics and product information on social platforms, as well as delivering relevant information face to face with clients whilst they are in the salon. Backed up by a strong social message about products and services, the one-to-one dialogue becomes a more powerful tool when recommending products to clients.
Digital accounts for 28% of all retail sales, with 72% still coming from bricks and mortar – that potentially is sales direct from the stylist on the salon floor!
