How hair salons can maximise lockdown while preparing for reopening

Now is the time for your hair salon to maximise lockdown while preparing for reopening, explains Katie Wrighton, National Territory Sales Manager at Takara Belmont (UK) Ltd. Hair salons are expected to remain in lockdown until Saturday 4 July at the earliest so salons must come together in support of one another, show great solidarity and continue to motivate and inspire each other. Many hair salons have used this time to refurb the salon or think about what the future will look like in a positive way. Takara Belmont's Katie offers her insight into how to maximise lockdown, based on the many calls and emails she has received, and how to prepare for when there’s an easing of restrictions. 

1. Maximise lockdown by using your time wisely

Now is a great time to step outside of your business and think about how you can take it forward when you reopen. Usually salons are caught up in the hectic day-to-day running of the salon, so use this valuable time to take stock and think about your business from an outside perspective. You can formulate a future business plan, look at new ideas and service opportunities and think about making interior changes to invigorate your business.

2. Maximise lockdown by researching and planning for your reopening

Start to formulate ideas and a plan of action. Use lockdown to research and start attaching some numbers to your ideas. How much investment do you need to make? How long will your ideas take to implement, and what’s the return going to be? Sometimes simple changes make big differences and are easier to implement than you might think. Example: Adding traditional wet shave services requires a modest investment in equipment but it elevates the service experience and enables you to charge a premium price. Similarly, salons can easily and quickly introduce Spa Mist II that upscales treatments and colour processing services, as well as delivering improved outcomes. As well as creating a spa-style experience, it also enables hand-conditioning treatments to be easily introduced with minimal training.  

3. Keep your customers informed during lockdown

At a time like this your clients won’t want to be forgotten. Maintaining a level of communications on social media, via email and text, lets them know you’re thinking of them. Why not offer advice and tips on hair care at home to get them through a period when a visit to the salon is off limits? If you have products that they’ll need you can always offer them online and deliver to their home.

4. Think soft-marketing

At a time when household incomes might be stretched, keep your marketing on the soft side. You could use the time to create post-lockdown packages too. As soon as you’re allowed to reopen, it will encourage your clients to take a more indulgent package to return their hair, colour and condition to be immaculate whilst boosting your financial recovery. 

5. Think interiors

During the enforced downtime, you could look at making interior changes to refresh and upgrade your salon or barbershop. As you can’t open to clients, it’s the perfect time to get in and tidy up, refresh tired paint and even look at making some design changes to wow customers on their return. For more HJ articles on how to cope during lockdown and prepare for reopening click here. This is a sponsored post by Katie Wrighton, National Territory Sales Manager, Takara Belmont (UK) Ltd.