Five key considerations when expanding your salon brand

Here are five key considerations when expanding your salon brand, according to HOB Salons’ general manager, Rob Stanley 1. Location, location, location When expanding your business to a new area, one of the first things to think about is the location. The location needs to be relevant to the clientele you are trying to target, while also having appealing draws like parking and on-brand shops. Overall, it needs to be fitting to who you are as a business. 2. Think footfall Choosing a high street location is a great way to ensure that footfall is likely to be continuous. Take the time to monitor pedestrian traffic before signing for your new site at different times of the day and week too. Seeing well-known and quality brands like M&S and Starbucks is another good indicator that you've picked a good area. 3. Focus on recruitment  The team is a vital part of any business and is central to making your new salon a success. Advertise that you are recruiting as soon as you secure your new salon space, encouraging applications from potential new employees. This process is also a great way to spread the word about your coming opening and to get people talking in the local area, too. 4. Work on a launch plan  As an already established business, you'll probably already have a launch plan for your new site, which you can implement as soon as the salon is secured. If you don't have a plan already, make a concise list of the different stages of opening your business. Star with arranging builders and work through to finalising your team, staff training, marketing and the all-important PR. Having this from the outset will help you to understand what you have to achieve with realistic timelines set out. This will help to keep you focussed, which is vital as things tend to get busier nearer your opening date. 5. Plan your marketing and PR One of the final things to focus on when expanding to a new area is the PR and marketing of this business. This covers every element, from updating and printing your in-salon collateral and teaming up with local businesses in regards to corporate partnerships to contacting local press to let them know of your arrival in the area. Think about having a launch party if this will help to establish you in the area, inviting key press in to the salon to experience your services. Don't forget to take the time to communicate this expansion on your website and all your social media platforms.