How to succeed in the run-up to Christmas
By Scratch Staff | 19 December 2019 | Expert Advice, Feature
Sharon Sandhu, Category Manager for Nails at Salon Services UK & Ireland, explores key pointers to ensure you stay on top of your game this festive season…
With so many festive parties, meals and get-togethers happening over the Christmas period, nail salons are undoubtedly seeing a rise in bookings as people look to glam up this season.
The Christmas party season is a perfect opportunity for salons to develop and strengthen client relationships. By sharing expertise, building trust and helping clients look and feel their best, salons can grow their client base for the year ahead. Here are my top tips for salon success:
1. Check stock levels
Place any last minute orders now and sit down and evaluate your existing stock and any additional products you need. My festive salon essentials include S Professional Foil Wraps for speedy enhancement removal and Salon Services WhiteBlock to achieve a professional finish.
At Christmas time, customers love to go a bit bolder and add a touch of sparkle to their party look — so I’d recommend investing in an ASP Soak Off Nail Art Kit and the Gellux Holographic No Wipe Top Coat to create dazzling nail art designs.
2. Make your retail area sparkle
It’s important to ensure your salon layout is attractive all year round — but especially at Christmas, when a warm and welcoming space with eye-catching displays can significantly increase retail sales. A great way of showcasing must-have products this party season is to compile festive hampers of stylish stocking fillers and bundles of ultra-luxe gifts by salon counters and nail stations. Ideal products for display are Morgan Taylor’s Champagne and Moonbeams Nail Lacquer Set and OPI’s Nail Lacquer Christmas Cracker; two perfect gifts in gorgeous seasonal packaging.
Ensure that your staff are well-informed about the items on display so they can answer questions about them and make recommendations to clients. Ask clients about their Christmas party plans as this is a great opportunity to share your expertise and recommend a variety of different festive looks — to be achieved in the salon or with products at home.
3. Celebrate with a bit of me-time
The Christmas period can be fast-paced and stressful, so be sure to carve out time to pamper yourself and your staff so they can recharge and enjoy the festivities too. After a busy day of back-to-back appointments, relax at home with the Ambition Vitamin C Mask Pack that tackles tired skin and revives the skin’s original radiance and vitality.
4. Set yourself up for New Year success
January is typically the quietest time of year for salons and it’s often tricky to maintain footfall and secure new business. Get ahead of the competition and encourage Christmas clientele to re-visit the salon by offering discount vouchers to be redeemed in the New Year. Friends’ discount schemes are another great way to get new customers through the door, and you can offer retailing treatment bundles as Christmas presents to encourage customers to sample new services.