5th August 2026
Let’s start by saying, I am not a fan of the bbc, it is an outdated, old fashioned, pompous organisation that is out of touch with a vast majority of the UK population. The world of entertainment has changed and with multiple channels now available via subscription and Freeview, it is losing ground rapidly.
The very fact that it releases (because it has to) the exorbitant salaries some of its celebs are paid and then wants the government to make the licence fee a statutory payment direct from your salary with, no doubt, another price increase shows how out of touch with reality they are.
Also, it is supposed to be ad free, isn’t that what part of the fee is supposed to mean, and yet there are as many ads as other terrestrial channels, the only difference is, they are all ads about the bbc, and that’s the catalyst for this blog because of the ludicrous ad that’s currently being played…. ‘what has the bbc ever done for me’.
BTW: I’m a law abiding citizen and I pay my ridiculously high yearly fee even though I watch minimal programmes on the corporations channels.
What has the bbc ever done for me, made me think about some of the large hairdressing companies that salons use as their product providers and prompted the question, what has my product supplier ever done for me? Naturally this blog is focussing in on those brands that have made mass market channels their priority.
Thank goodness for those brands that remain truly loyal to their salons, the following list does not apply to them.
Once upon a time this list, that most product manufacturers had would be endless, here’s just a few of the elements product suppliers provided for salons:
Constant sales representative support, monthly visits to go through all promotional activities.
- This has been reduced to a bare minimum, with some companies now asking for orders via WhatsApp.
Strong educational support to help team members fully understand the brands and how to talk to clients about them.
- Most education is now focused on-line as companies reduce the size of their education team. Spend big bucks and you might be lucky enough to get a couple of education sessions a year.
Business help for salon owners.
- Limited to the big spenders.
Dedicated helpline teams available 9 to 5 every working day.
- Now it’s WhatsApp or messenger, ‘we will get back to you as soon as possible”.
Special offers to help push retail, including free backbar stock.
- Not anymore, most of the funds for promotions are diverted to the high street.
Events, competition and shows available for everyone.
- Most big companies shows are now there for their elite customers.
Marketing materials, posters, banners, leaflets, t.shirts etc, all designed to help generate brand awareness.
- Non existent, unless salons want to print their own from pdf’s.
As stated, this blog is really aimed at those giant brands, that like the bbc have become outdated, old fashioned, pompous organisations that are out of touch with a vast majority of the UK salons, and that’s why, on a daily basis I am receiving emails asking for advice about alternative brands from companies that offer everything needed for salons to survive in an ever challenging retail landscape.
Ask yourself, what has my product supplier ever done for me? and if the answer used to be the above list, but isn’t anymore, then it’s time to make a change.
#LetsTalk #ProForPro #SalonProfessional #SalonSupport
