19th February 2026
Question: Does a brand that sits on mass market outlets shelves, as well as in your salon suggest professionalism?
For me it’s an interesting question that deserves to be analysed and looked at with fresh eyes. Earlier this week I was in both Edinburgh and Birmingham airports and, as always, I went into that well known magazine and book shop to have a browse. The magazines and books are now tucked away in a corner where once they were the mainstay; the stores are now primarily souvenirs, food, beverages and, lo & behold, beauty. No surprise to see a ‘salon professional’ brand available for purchase. By the way, that’s after walking through duty free and spotting an ever increasing array of products that were once salon exclusive available there as well.
Did the experience of seeing ‘salon professional’ brands in these places make me think about professionalism? Absolutely not, there was no-one to give advice about these products, and even if there was they wouldn’t necessarily be qualified enough to understand the specific nuances of each hair type and what would be the best to choose.
Seeing products enter the domain of newspapers and books, it’s the same as witnessing that mass market chemist introducing an ever expanding array of products that were once just for salons to recommend. Seeing a ‘salon professional’ brand available at 3 for the price of 2, 25% off, or free gift with purchase continually undermines the hairdresser and their potential to recommend homecare products; there is simply nothing professional about it.
Thank goodness there are companies out there who are helping salons by truly supporting them with SALON PROFESSIONAL – SALON EXCLUSIVE brands not available through mass market channels, these products give hairdressers and barbers a chance to recommend homecare regimes that clients can purchase direct from them, without the worry of them being told ‘I can get that cheaper on the high street’.
Our industry needs all the help it can get, and unfortunately some of the bigger companies (not all of them thank goodness) have decided to choose different routes to market, and that’s, honestly, absolutely fine, but for salons the decision to move away from these brands is one that they really need to make if they want their business, and especially their retail offering to be truly recognised as professional.
As always I’m happy to discuss brands that I believe can make a significant difference to salons.
#SalonProfessional #SalonExclusive #ProForPro
