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SEARCHWe’re all looking for signs that economic times are improving, and service industries are a good bellwether of how confident consumers feel about the state of the economy. This month we asked leaders from the salon industry if they see a light at the end of the tunnel: “What signs do you see that we are emerging from the recession?”
We're all looking for signs that economic times are improving, and
service industries are a good bellwether of how confident consumers
feel about the state of the economy. This month we asked leaders from
the salon industry if they see a light at the end of the tunnel:
"What signs do you see that we are emerging
from the recession?"
Rocco Altobelli
Founder, Rocco Altobelli Salons and Spas
I BELIEVE THE ECONOMY has come back,
but it is a new economic reality and probably
won't ever return to what we remember.
With our salons, we are not focusing
so much on growth, but on working within
the new reality by renegotiating leases and
making the best use of smaller spaces.
The one "benefit" of the recession was
that we focused even more on customer
service and letting our clients know we
care. We offered complimentary bang trims
and adjusted our hours to accommodate
clients' needs.
Some clients who visited lower priced
salons during the recession, out of financial
need, are now returning to us. They
are feeling more secure and are willing
to pay more for results with less concern
about lower prices.
Clients are starting to again pamper
themselves, and the facial business in our
spas is better than ever. Waxing services
are also up.
I have a large private label product business
in addition to the salons and spas, and
am encouraged enough by business that our
company is launching a new natural hair
care line, a new prescription facial system
and a new men's line.
Sydney Berry
President/Owner of Salon Services & Supplies
OUR SALON CUSTOMERS at Salon Services
have moved from a survival mode to a renewal
mode. They have survived the bad
economy and are now developing new options
to strengthen their business.
Salons are re-positioning themselves
and investing in more staff training as part
of building their clientele. We are seeing a
stronger internal focus on building a salon
infrastructure that is designed to support
the retention of clients and tap into the
new clients that are re-appearing from the
economic doldrums.
Our salon customers are also venturing
into new marketing strategies like social
media and Groupon and LivingSocial promotions.
A lot of salons are also investing
in in-salon events that focus on various
services and new retail opportunities for
clients. Again, the emphasis in no longer
on surviving, but on renewing the business
to fit the new economy.
Tom Porter
President and CEO of
Malibu Wellness
FOR US AT MALIBU WELLNESS, the most
significant signs that indicate our nation is
moving from the depths of the recession is
the increase in inquiries that we are receiving
from salons and spas about expanding
their mini-treatment category.
This is a special service category and
indicates to me that consumers have more
disposable income and are spending money
on services that don't just improve appearance,
but improve the health and feel of
their hair, as well.
Two years ago, the salons that we were
hearing from were using our products for
"trouble shooting" to fix a problem. It was
more of a reaction to something that had
to be "fixed." Now, more and more professionals
are asking how to incorporate our
products into their "natural treatments"
menu. They are offering treatments as an
extension of salon services, and not just
to solve a problem, once it has occurred.
We see a general growth trend at both the
regional and national level in treatment
categories. This demonstrates that clients
are ready to spend money beyond the basics
and indulge in conditioning and healing
treatment products and services.
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