Hairdressers know the holidays can be one of the most
profitable
times of the year. Pulling in holiday retail sales dollars can help
salons overcome the dreaded January slump. Here’s our list (we’ve
checked it twice) of things you need to do before December arrives to
make the 2014 holiday season your most successful yet.
1. Set a goal.
Review last year’s sales so you have a benchmark of where you want to
be this season (otherwise you’ll have no idea how to gauge your
success). Make sure to increase your inventory from a 14-day supply to a
21-day supply to guarantee product availability.
2. Train your staff.
They need to have knowledge of the products and be
confident selling
special retail promotions and packages. Make sure they’re trained,
ready and on-board with your strategy (Hint: Get them excited by asking
for their input now). This should include front desk staff!
3. Create easy gift packs.
Make gift-giving super easy for clients by either using manufacturer
gift sets or making your own based on your clientele’s needs. You may
need a wider range of products than normal to meet the demands for
everyone on your clients’ shopping lists (ex: body care products,
men’s grooming stocking stuffers).
4. Don’t forget about gift cards.
Gift cards
are the perfect way to relieve your client’s present-giving stress and
potentially earn new clients. Make sure this gift suggestion is properly
advertised around the salon or bundled with other gift ideas.
5. Set up beautiful displays.
Attract walk ins with eye-catching—but religiously neutral—displays
that fit with your salon’s branding (Elegant? Edgy? Commercial?
Artistic?). Products should be displayed within reach and at eye-level.
Ask your team for creative display ideas to get them in the festive
spirit.
6. Promote, promote, promote!
Don’t forget about in-salon displays and signage in waiting areas,
the front desk, and washrooms. Also, your website and social media
streams should have information on gift ideas and product promotions.
You may want to organize a fun shopping night event for loyal clients to
help push sales too.
7. Have a plan for leftover holiday retail.
If you have leftover holiday packs and products, break them apart or
repackage with a small discount in January to make a profit while giving
your clients some post-holiday season savings.