29th December 2025
#ProForPro – the 2026 edit. A new year is fast approaching and with it comes a host of challenges for the hairdressing and barbering community. Apprentices still seem to be in short supply, a problem facing all industries, VAT continues to be a challenge, rising costs across all energy bills and the inevitable price increases from suppliers.
WOE ARE WE!
The truth is that all of these issues (apart from perhaps VAT) are affecting everyone, and whilst they do make for difficult times and decisions, the reality is, we will acclimatise and get used to them and then settle into our normal everyday routines.
And so, as always, salon life will continue, and the necessary changes that need to be implemented will become ‘the new norm’ once again. But there are things that can be done to help salons become more profitable, and one of the biggest, and most significant changes salons can make is to choose to deal with SALON PROFESSIONAL brands.
Let’s start with retail:
There are product ranges that salons can carry that create a point of difference from mass market brands, ranges that deliver exceptional results for clients at home that are SALON PROFESSIONAL and not available on the high street. Choosing to change from a retail brand that is everywhere to one that is more in tune with a salons individual style and vibe can create significant interest from clients and lead to much healthier retail sales. Invariably, these SALON PROFESSIONAL brands deliver incredible results whilst being more affordable for both the salon and the client, the result, more retail sales, more profit.
In-salon services and treatments:
The big opportunity that salons tend to miss out on. From smoothing systems to new style perm products, each offers clients a better way to manage their hair at home (so long as the service is linked to the relevant home care). And don’t forget the continuing growth in extensions and all the variations that are now available. And then there is the huge opportunity in-salon treatments offer. In a consumer world where pampering and experiences are sought out, the luxury aspect of a relaxing treatment that nourishes the hair and scalp whilst the client relaxes is something that has to be recognised as a potential revenue booster.
Colour:
Ah the tricky one, colour, the thing salons are most scared about changing. Of course we all know why this is, hairdressers and colourists become deeply attached to a selection of shades from their ’trusted’ colour brand, and colour houses create education that suggests ‘change is bad’. But honestly, CHANGE IS GOOD! In this day and age it would be a big challenge to find a colour range that didn’t deliver great results. So instead of paying over the odds for a brand that is probably working very hard at delivering a colour for consumers to use in the mass market arena, change to a SALON PROFESSIONAL brand that truly supports the hairdressing world with a colour range that delivers, costs less and has real user friendly information and education that helps hairdressers and colourists expand their usage of colour, which in turn can generate greater spend from clients, which leads, once again to greater profits for salons.
Other stuff:
There are so many additional products, services and electrical equipment that salons can offer to help generate incremental revenue. Skin care seems to me to be a logical addition that could be introduced into the salon retail offering. Brushes, combs, dryers, straighteners, curl wands, all are items that are worthwhile carrying.
As always, I am more than happy to talk through brands that I believe deliver 100% on the above messages.
#ProForPro #SalonProfessional #2026edit
