9th October 2023
Regular readers of this blog will know that this time of the year sees a plethora of posts about Christmas and the goodies that manufacturers have produced to entice your clients to purchase gift sets from your salon.
However this year I’ve been trying to think outside of the box (as in gift box) and look at what the festive season can actually mean for you.
The change is in no small part due to the fact that I no longer have access to the utterly magnificent Balmain gift collection, this has been for the last few years one of the highlights of this blog, seeing what delights [Balmain Hair UK] bring to salons that sets the company apart from the same old same old box sets was always a joy to behold.
Having done my usual research and after visiting big department stores and chemists checking out what’s happening ‘out there’ it seems to me that ‘free gift’ activity is on the increase after falling by the wayside in recent years.
What does it mean for you as a salon owner who has no doubt already pre-ordered gift sent from your product suppliers. It means you have to get creative in your marketing strategy and think of how best to promote the gift sets as having something extra special that makes the client believe the purchase is a worthwhile and ‘value for money’ gift idea.
Here’s my top 10 tips that could help you have a bumper Christmas retail.
1: Look at the cost of goods against the price of individual units. Whatever the gift set retails at, how much saving does it equate to? if it matches the RRP of one of the items make sure this is mentioned in the conversation your team have with their clients and make sure it’s featured on your social pages. This is especially good ijf the gift box contains 3 items.
2: Gift with purchase, if the gift sets feature a free gift make sure this is shouted out about via the team’s communication with their clients and also on your social pages. If there isn’t a free gift, look at purchasing some inexpensive accessories and give them away with the box sets. A few pennies for some hair ties, scrunchies or invisibobbles could well be worth the minimal investment.
3: Multiple purchases, if a client is thinking of bulk buying, add a gift for them, perhaps a bottle of shampoo or a free blow dry in January, something to show your appreciation to the client investing in your Christmas gift offering.
4: Offer a discount on a service in the salon throughout January as a Thank You to anyone who purchases gift sets from you. This shows you appreciate the client spending money and also gets them into your salon during the quiet start to the year.
5: Gift wrapping service. This is a popular option and allows you to create bespoke gift sets. Look at creating a few different priced sets that can be personalised, and wrap them up with creativity so they look fabulous.
6: Talk about gift vouchers and how they make great gifts as well as the box sets you have available.
7: SHOUT OUT ABOUT EVERYTHING AS OF NOW! Boots are already filling there stores with 3 for 2 offers because they know your clients are shopping for Christmas right now. If they are doing it, you should be too.
8: Encourage your team to start talking about the gift sets you will have available and get them to excite their clients about the gift of haircare this festive season.
9:Don’t decorate your salon (just yet) but do put a teaser somewhere near reception to let everyone know you will have some amazing gift sets available.
10: START SHARING WHAT’S COMING ON YOUR SOCIAL PAGES: It’s time to begin posting about Christmas gifts and appointments for the festive season right now. Don’t miss out, share the festive vibe before it gets too late.
If you take action now and get your salon and team ready, then your business could have a great lead up to Christmas and beyond into 2024. Go on, give your salon a great Christmas gift, one that involves lots of festive gift sales and appointments scheduled for January.
