2024 has brought mixed results for many hair businesses, with many still struggling to get back to pre-Covid levels, while others are reporting a surge in bookings and interest in services as clients are feeling more settled and ready to spend money. According to Cameron Dermody, director of evo concept salon Nichares Hairdressing and Dermody Coaching in Taunton, the horizon is looking exciting for salons and barbershops.
“I’m aware a lot of hair businesses were struggling in January and February of this year, but I hope that now they have started to see business return to normal again. I think there are a lot of lessons that we can learn from, to help us better prepare for the future and boost cashflow,” said Cameron.
“I predict that as we move towards the end of the year, we are going to see a movement toward hair professionals seeking employed roles again, which is great for salons and barbershops everywhere struggling with recruitment.
“There has also been a mindset shift with pricing and the majority of salons and barbershops have implemented or planned a well-overdue price increase, to bring the investment of our services in line with what is needed to meet client expectations in 2024,” he adds.
“We are about to enter our busier months, so how can we maximise this?As we head into a new season, introduce new services and add-on treatments that can boost the final bill.”
Dermot’s Tips to Be Successful for the Rest of 2024
1. When a stylist or barber is running close to maximum capacity, think about how they can utilise their client visits and increase their average bill without costing them too much time. An add-on treatment such as evo top drop is a great addition to the client experience.
2. Make sure you’re pricing your treatments for profit. After years of testing, we found that clients actually see the value more in a £20 treatment than a £5 treatment and were more excited about the service. It’s also much more beneficial to the salon business to do less services at a higher ticket.
3. If you struggle with treatment sales, have you thought about putting the price up before you put it down? Add value rather than take it away.
