As part of SALON TODAY's Designing Minds series, we gathered readers' latest questions about SALON TODAY and posed them to designers and leaders from industry furniture and equipment manufacturers. Here, Matt McGuire, a regional sales representative with Collins tackled a question about the future of retail design.
SALON TODAY: How has Covid-19 impacted the way salons are designing retail spaces?
Matt McGuire: We have all struggled with the effects of Covid-19 in one way or another. Salons have adapted to these new rules from state to state in different ways.
The first thing I do when designing my clients’ salons is to look at their clientele and the strength of their current business. With smaller reception areas due to customers remaining in their vehicles rather than in the salon, we’ve had to adjust the retail space to be even more visible than before. I have found that I’m designing reception areas with fewer seats that are spread out within the space, and putting more focus on the products and the displays used.
Normally, I make sure that salons retain a consistent look throughout the entire space. So that the equipment style and finishes on the main floor compliment the furnishing in the front end and vice versa.
I recommend more lighting on products and arranging the displays in a pleasing, yet focused placement. We don’t necessarily want the displays to outshine the product, but to help illuminate and draw the eye. This will always increase your retail sales.
Salons must remember to constantly brand themselves. Focus the client on the salons brand first and then the product. This can be achieved with a nice logo, lighting and placement. Accent walls and colors help greatly within the retail space. Remember salon owners, step outside your salon, take off the owner hat and walk through your front doors as a client. See what they see, you’ll be surprised.
Matt McGuire, regional sales representative for Collins.
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