10 Ways to Maximise Your Salon’s Retail Potential
Retailing products in your salon can be a significant revenue booster and a way to enhance your clients’ overall experience. In fact, it’s almost expected from your client when it comes to offering them something they can takeaway to either extend their treatment benefits or enhance their home beauty routine. However, we still find many salon owners asking crucial questions about how to select, price, and promote retail products effectively. So, being the helpers that we are, and the fact we wholesale a great selection of beauty retail, we thought we’d write this blog for you. This blog aims to answer the top 10 questions with practical examples we sell here at Barneys Salon Supplies, and to help you make informed decisions and optimise your retail strategy. So, without further ado, here are 10 ways to maximise your salon’s retail potential:
Common question #1: What Are the Best Products to Retail in My Salon?
Selecting the right products starts with understanding your clientele and overall business strategy. For example, if your beauty salon specialises in lash treatments, high-quality lash shampoos, or the new innovative dry brow product to help your clients achieve longer lasting results. You could also consider after care mascara, and other after care products from reputable brands like Elleebana or Purely Lashes might be ideal. On the other hand, if you offer tanning, consider stocking skin boosters that include serums, or bed protection from brands like Tanzee or Azure Tan.
Common question #2: How Do I Choose the Right Brands to Retail?
Look for brands that offer more than just great products. Reputable brands such as Elleebana, Voesh New York or The Brow Technicians provide great information and marketing support. We often share these with you on our product pages or can source the right materials for you if need be! These brand partnerships can equip your staff with the knowledge to confidently recommend products and offer your clients the assurance of quality. When you are exploring our website next, be sure to explore the “More Info” tab on the products you are looking to retail, as often we include informative downloads for you and your team to reference. Plus, these guys generally stay ahead of the latest trends! So, if your client seeks a solution that’s highly-sought after and solved by a reputable brands, then there’s your winner.
Common question #3: What Pricing Strategies Should I Use for Retail Products?
Competitive pricing is key. A common strategy is to markup products by 50% to ensure a healthy profit margin. For example, if a product costs you $20, retail it for $40. Additionally, consider offering bundled discounts, such as a hand cream and cuticle conditioner duo at a slightly lower combined price, to encourage larger purchases. If you explore our website, you will note we often include a RRP on the products we feel are best to retail.
Common question #4: How Can I Effectively Display Retail Products in My Salon?
An attractive and accessible display can significantly boost sales. Use eye-catching displays near your checkout counter and beauty stations, nail tables or in your treatment rooms. For instance, create a featured product display that changes monthly to highlight new or seasonal items. This keeps the retail section dynamic and engaging for clients, so they have something to look forward to checking out each time they visit.
Remember, when you display your products, the sky is the limit. Get a little creative, and where relevant, immerse the product in a creative setting to truly evoke a sense of inspiration. Another critical tip, is always have a tester open. When you can engage your customer in touch and scent, this often helps seal the deal. Another effective strategy is strategic pricing. Many salon owners find that using strategic pricing leads to greater success. This approach allows customers to make informed decisions by considering the value and cost of products during checkout.
Common question #5: What Are the Best Practices for Training Staff to Sell Retail Products?
Staff training is crucial. Imagine your customer asking a question on the retail item they fully intended to buy from you, only to be conflicted by a sense of doubt. Sale lost! Be sure to organise regular training sessions within your team to discuss product usage and benefits. Let them feel and experience the product. You can even go as far as to provide your team with scripts and role-playing scenarios to build their confidence in recommending products.
Another fabulous idea involves engaging your team by offering either a commission structure to incentivise or a salon target. You could keep it fun and offer a fun team social event or similar, and truly get everyone involved!
Common question #6: How Do I Manage Inventory and Track Sales for Retail Products?
Efficient inventory management is essential to prevent overstocking or stockouts. Use salon management software apps, which offer inventory tracking and sales reporting features. For instance, set automatic reorder points for popular items to ensure they are always in stock. Or opt in with the Barneys reordering feature via your account.
Common question #7: What Promotional Strategies Can I Use to Boost Retail Sales?
Promotions can drive retail sales significantly. Consider offering limited-time discounts, such as 10% off all retail products during a holiday sale. A great idea could include; When a client purchases 3 or more skincare products, you could offer a mini facial (30 mins), this is particularly effective during the slower months.
Everyone loves a loyalty program! Clients can earn points for every purchase, redeemable for discounts on future purchases, giving them an incentive to make that additional purchase. This not only boosts sales but also encourages repeat visits. Look at how much you all love the Barneys Rewards Program 😉
Common question #8: How Can I Integrate Retail Products into My Salon Services?
Integrating product recommendations into your services can enhance client experience and drive sales. Consider relating products to your clients concerns during service. For example, during a waxing treatment, a beautician could explain the benefits of an after wax lotion and suggest purchasing it for at-home care. This seamless integration makes the recommendation feel natural and valuable. Remember, it’s all in how you say it, context and relevance is a must, or it can tend to come off as a sales pitch!
Common question #9: What Are the Current Trends in Beauty Retail Products?
Staying up-to-date with trends can keep your retail offerings fresh and exciting. Currently, there’s a growing demand for clean beauty products and lash & brow aftercare. Stocking eco-friendly and sustainable brands like Avry, Sparitual or Kenzina can attract environmentally conscious clients. Additionally, products that can prolong or enhance the results of a lash or brow treatment, such as a lash serum or lash & brow shampoo are very popular for the foreseeable future!
Common question #10: How Do I Handle Customer Objections to Purchasing Retail Products?
Addressing objections effectively can convert hesitant clients into buyers. If a client expresses concern about the price, highlight the product’s longevity and quality or point of difference. For instance, explain how an aftercare product from Caronlab might last longer and deliver better results than cheaper alternatives. Your point of difference here, is that Caronlab manufacture their own wax and aftercare products with their own cosmetic chemists. So they are THE most informed and knowledgeable in their field! Offering samples or mini versions can also alleviate concerns and encourage trial. In fact, Barneys stock mini sample jars which would be ideal! Check it out here.
By implementing these strategies and examples with our 10 Ways to Maximise Your Salon’s Retail Potential, you can create a robust retail environment in your beauty salon that enhances client satisfaction and drives revenue. Remember, successful retailing is about offering quality products that meet your clients’ needs and providing exceptional service that encourages them to make purchases. Happy retailing!
