Christmas

It’s not a swear word, it’s not a word you should avoid, it’s just 9 letters that spell out a very important word…. CHRSTMAS. As of today (28.08.26) there are 119 days till Dec 25th. That might seem like ages away, but break it down and suddenly, it’s 17 weeks, which means it is just over 4 months, and seeing as how most of us get paid at the end of every month, that means, if you have already had this months salary,  there are now just 3 pay checks before Santa arrives.

It might seem like a long way off, but in the world of retail, Christmas is coming right now.

We have enjoyed an incredible summer and the weather is still holding up, which means we are all still in ‘summer mode’, but, and it is a big but, the major retailers are already starting to gradually introduce festive elements into their portfolio of products. Yes we know Liberty and Harrods like to open their Christmas departments early, that’s partly due to tourists wanting the limited edition baubles that they launch annually, but over and above that fact, the reality is consumers are planning ahead and starting their festive shopping.

FACT: I have presents already purchased, stored away in the bottom go a wardrobe.

And I am not the only person to have started shopping. With just 3 pay checks to go, it makes sense to spread the inevitable costs attached to Christmas and that is why your salons need to act accordingly.

Your product company representatives will be visiting you soon and sharing their promotional activities. This is fabulous as its gives you the opportunity to start planning your strategy to maximise retail sales in the ‘golden quarter’ (Oct/Nov/Dec). When you have thought about what you want to do to encourage clients to shop with you, don’t sit on the ideas till the last minute, start a teaser campaign to let everyone know what’s coming.

This doesn’t mean you need to get the baubles out and festoon the salon with tinsel, what it does mean is you have to start sharing what’s coming via your social media and (more importantly) your team. This is going to take some work if you want to have a successful festive period.

Here’s some things you can start planning right now:

• Dates for client events that showcase everything festive, with discounts on the day for purchases made.
• Gift wrapping service, especially popular with guys, let your client know you are going to be offering this F.O.C.
• Promotional offers that can link to appointments in January. If a client purchases gifts from the salon, offer a free treatment in January with their cut and blow dry.
• Gift vouchers are a great present idea and if they are enhanced with something of value that is a freebie, so much the better.
• Think about different generations and their spending potential, carrying different ranges at different price points satisfies all age groups.
• Impulse purchases, stocking fillers that can be easily purchased at the reception desk, from brushes to brollies, travel size products to invisibobbles, think like a giant retailer, think like Primark and what they do to encourage additional purchases as you head toward the till point.
• Mail drops to your database sharing your festive gift ideas.
• Team – hold a meeting and explain what you expect of them in the lead up to Christmas, starting as soon was you know what you will have available so that they can start talking to clients about everything.
• Social media – start a treater campaign, make it light hearted and fun, mix festive posts in with your normal hair imagery, anything that makes clients aware that you are getting ready for Christmas. If you are on TikTok you will have already started to see people sharing the viral Mariah Carey posts. Anything you can do to start clients thinking is a good beginning.

Retail sales grow exponentially from September onwards as we start festive shopping so it’s worthwhile planning now and getting your salon ready for a fabulous festive retail boost.

#StartPlanning #ItsComing #FestiveIdeas