How Salons Can Compete With Big Name Retailers

Beauty salons are one of the few widely beloved places commonly found in society. These places have transformed from where you get a simple service in exchange for money to where millions go with friends to have a good time and bask in luxury. 

However, like many industries, the beauty industry is now at risk of being dominated by big-name retailers that can supply beauty products easily and cheaply. If you're concerned about this and you're a salon owner, here are a few ways to compete with the people who want to put you out of business.

By creating a strong brand

A strong brand is the main way to counter the opposition in your neighborhood. When faced with an option or competition, customers will usually go for the cheaper and more convenient option, which is usually the big-name retailer due to how their business is set up. However, if you succeed in creating a strong brand image, you'll be able to stand out, and customers will slowly begin to seek out your store instead of settling for alternatives. You can achieve this by creating your own private-label hair care products. Creating a line of products is cheap and provides an additional revenue stream for your business, and it's free marketing since your image will be all over town.

By integrating with their community

One thing that local private beauty salons have over their conglomerate competition is that they're smaller and more personal. Over the years, these salons have become integrated into their community and are an essential part of the neighborhood for anyone interested in a nice, relaxing time spent socializing and laughing with friends. By creating a strong sense of community, you're ensuring that you don't have clients but people that will defend you and offer you their business to keep you afloat during trying times. A great way to achieve this is by having promotions in your neighborhood.

By offering niche services

Big brands tend to play it safe when forming a customer base. Their strategy is to get as many clients as possible while cutting costs and using the cheapest possible equipment and products while still holding their tools to a standard of quality. This results in a great profit margin and a wide appeal to customers. However, if you want to stand out as a private salon, you can offer niche services, like special types of waxing or massaging, or new and innovative approaches. There's a market for organically grown lotions that are more expensive, and these products aren't found in chain salons. This way, while you'll have to spend more and maintain a smaller profit margin, you'll get more attention from customers who want something more special.

By focusing on intimacy

Many private salons have begun to focus on their strengths and provide clients with a strong sense of intimacy and care, something they wouldn't be provided with at a chain. Customers confide in and socialize with hairdressers, nail technicians, and massage therapists frequently, to the extent that repeat customers consider some members of staff their friends. As your staff gets to know a customer better, they can provide a personalized, intimate experience whenever they visit your business. This personal touch is something that people have come to crave.

By creating a unique atmosphere

Atmosphere is not one of the biggest considerations people make when starting a business like a salon. However, if you focus on it, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere using decorations, scented candles, and mirrors. Your business will look classier and more luxurious, and your customers will feel more comfortable. This is another way to play to your strengths as a small, independent salon.

Conclusion

Big business is overtaking small competitors in most areas of the market. Conglomerates like Amazon and Walmart have figured out how to mass-produce beauty products that appeal to a wide customer base. This has caused some customers to shift away from traditional salons. 

However, one thing the conglomerates will never have is a personal touch. There are countless things that you can do to counter their influence and establish your business, and a few of them have been listed in this article. If you play your cards right, you'll be able to compete or even outshine the big-name retailers in your area.