8th May 2024
Here’s a fact! You are in control of your own destiny, for your future, the future of your salons and the future of your teams. You make the decisions about what the business you created looks like, the products you use in salon and the ranges you carry for your clients to purchase to take home, what the ethos and mantra are, and what your business model stands for! Now, more than ever it’s time to make a statement of intent!
A long standing friend and ex work colleague decided to christen me the ‘salon Guardian’ and whilst I am not the only individual out there championing ‘salon exclusive’ and ‘salon professional’ products and services, I am happy to take up the mantle on behalf of salons across the UK and beyond.
Remember that feeling when you first opened the doors, the excitement about what you were embarking on. Sales representatives had been knocking on your door, eager to get you as a new account, and based on what was agreed, discounts, education, free stock etc, you made a decision and set off on a journey with suppliers who were going to support you every step of the way.
After a few years you probably noticed a tail off in the education that was delivered, the special offers you got, and a push for you to spend more money, to sign into water tight agreements locking you in. The balance shifted, it went from being all about looking after you to all about looking after the bottom line of the company you initially chose.
Along the way, you became convinced moving away from your tried, tested and trusted brands was a no go! It takes a lot for a salon to change brands, so what happens is salon owners stick to what they know, even though it’s not quite the same as it was when you first started the relationship with your chosen manufacturer.
And now we see lots of those product houses making a seismic shift in the way they do business …. YOU are no longer their priority, especially when it comes to retail, no, they have made the decision to enter the mass market with the products you know and trust. The potential for you to slowly slowly lose out on retail sales is happening right in front of your eyes. It is impossible to keep up with the big retailers who demand huge discounts, allowing them to sell your ‘professional’ products at prices you can’t possibly compete with.
Ultimately these brands are not bothered about your salon retail, so long as they have your colour business and other technical services – for now anyways – that’s what they want to keep. Your retail, to them is a thorn in their side.
[They] have made their statement of intent – now it’s up to you to make yours.
Thankfully there are still huge corporations who are committed to ‘salon professional’ brands, there are masses of medium and small companies creating products that are innovative, high performing and ‘salon exclusive’ for you to carry in your salons.
Mark my words, the time will come when [they] look at their colour business and start planning to shift that into the mainstream as well …. where will that leave you???
Don’t roll over like a submissive puppy, stand up for your business and make the change that brings energy and excitement to the salon, the team and the clients. Creating something unique is the way forward, offer services and products that make you truly individual and truly creative.
As always, once I step off of my soapbox, I am happy to chat about brands that I believe could make your services and retail business thrive once again.
#ProForPro #SalonProfessional #SalonExclusive
