Mobile technology, predictive purchasing and big data are just three of the major technology trends set to dominate the beauty industry for the rest of 2013 and well into 2014, according to salon technology company Shortcuts.
Mobile technology will continue to sweep away traditional methods of reaching clients and managing a business, but predicting what clients will buy and comparing data across the industry will also have a profound effect on the way hair salons are run, said Shortcuts CEO Paul Tate.
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‘Salons now have access to an amazing amount of industry-wide data that will give them much deeper insight into consumption, while automated insight into consumer behaviour will allow salons to personalise the client experience even more,’ added Paul. ‘The days of working in a bubble or on a hunch are long gone as salon owners and managers increasingly access up-to-the-minute information before taking key decisions.’
Shortcuts has been on the leading edge of salon-specific technology innovation. It was one of the first technology suppliers to offer mobile-friendly systems, including virtual access via its Shortcuts Anywhere program. Its Scorecard facility, part of its over-arching SMART suite of programs, allows salons to compare data anonymously with other similar-sized salons. Without giving away vital information, salons no longer work in isolation, but instead are be able to see what other similar salons are achieving and why.
Salons can also use their software to map the historic purchases of each client and ensure they are ready with favourite products on hand or special personalized deals to drive sales.
‘The dramatic impact mobile technology has had on salons in the past six months is an indication of the speed of change we can expect over the next 12 months, and we are determined to help our clients stay abreast,’ said Paul. ‘The problem is that some of this new technology can be intimidating for users, so we have invested time and effort on developing systems that are as absolutely user-friendly as they are up-to-date with the latest innovations.’
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