4th August 2024
It’s been a while since I posted anything related to the mass market migration that some product companies, (well documented here), decided to do late last year.
But this week there have been a few things that have caught my eye and disappointed me.
As always I don’t name names, mainly because I don’t need to, #IfYouKnowYouKnow #ProForPro
Firstly – and this isn’t about products, but it’s still linked – the company that are trying to get a small business to change it’s name because it ‘sounds like’ one of their brands which they say could cause consumer confusion?!?! GET REAL – the small company that wants to hold onto their name has lost £30K fighting this giant, and all credit to them for doing so. The similarity in the names is very subtle, and I’m pretty sure that the brand that’s fighting to get the woman in question to change her salon name spends more in a month advertising than this business has so far spent trying to save her brand name and identity. Shame on you – and you know who you are!
(If you want to read about it, google ‘hair salon nkd’)
Next, that mass migration of ‘salon professional’ products that was supposed to encourage more consumers into salons! Well this week I happened to be in one of those large chemists that had the products available in an exclusive London based store, and also available online. I wasn’t in London, I was in Middlesbrough, and lo and behold, there it was, (don’t say I didn’t warn you!) those products, on a really beautiful stand, much better than any created for salons to showcase their products. Aside from the fact that the stand was so stylish, there was a video screen attached to it sharing all the benefits of the product ranges, and a QR code that appeared at the end of the info graphics directing you to your nearest salon….. haha, guess what, the QR link didn’t work.
But it didn’t stop there, the inevitable discounting has begun in earnest. 20% off for a special summer promotion. I don’t think there are many salons that (still) stock these products that will be able to match that!
And then the last thing that got me was a trip to that big discount store with the red logo… you know which one. I like to check out what’s available in the haircare section as it’s an indicator of what might be happening with relaunches etc. And guess what, a very popular hair loss range that’s just about to be [relaunched] was on the shelves. It might well be a coincidence, it might well be grey market product, but nonetheless it was there!
And so the giants continue unabashed doing whatever they want to generate additional revenue and to protect their brand identities, all at the cost of the hairdressers and salons who most definitely contributed to making them the success they are today.
#ProForPro – make that change today, move to a brand that supports and nurtures hairdressers and salon businesses, not one that does anything and everything to generate more income.
As always I am happy to discuss brands that are available out there that can make your salon more bespoke and professional.
