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Are you running a back-to-school liter sale this year? If not, why?

Are you afraid that nobody wants to spend their money right now? Well, the chains and the big retail outlets are running sales on their liters and you should be, too.

You might think that big retailers and chain salons have an unfair advantage because they can buy stuff so much less expensively than you can, but let me show you how you can leverage your retail dollars to run sales just like they do. You can be retailing like the big dogs in no time. tag

But My Clients are Broke!

I know that people complain all the time about not having any money, but they are less broke than they are feeling and they will continue to spend money on things that are important to them, that make them feel good and that they perceive to be a good value.

These are great reasons for you to get into the retailing game. Professional salon products are affordable luxuries.

You know the feeling you get when you discover a cool new product that makes your hair look amazing. Do you get that same experience from popping open a bottle of Suave? Suave is a commodity – it cleans hair.

Professional salon products are an experience, and the actual cost versus reward of professional products is minimal.

A bottle of luxury shampoo or conditioner might set your client back $25, but they will be enjoying it for about 8 weeks. That’s only .44 per day. The pain of paying for it has long since faded and they are enjoying that wonderful fragrance and compliment worthy hair every day.    

Why Run Liters On Sale?

People love a bargain and this time of the year, they are expecting to find one in every store. People have their wallets out, they are loading up on back-to-school supplies, and it’s a perfect opportunity for your salon to join the free-for-all.

The salon industry has trained consumers to stock up on liters in July and August. Make sure that you are stocking what your clients are looking for. They will be buying them somewhere. It should be from you.  

Stock up and Save

The stock up and save theory goes for you, too. Why not buy a 6 months supply of backbar or even liters that you regularly retail why they are on sale?

To buy items you use and sell everyday on sale this month and at regular price next month is crazy. Buy heavy now and reap the savings for several months. That’s free money in your pocket.   

Retailing Like The Big Dogs

Big retail outlets and chain salons often get a discount on the retail products they purchase. But you can apply their retail strategies to your own salon.

Large retail operations buy in bulk when something is on sale. The liter sale is a perfect example. Currently, from nearly every shampoo manufacturer, you can purchase a liter duo of shampoo and conditioner at a price that is essentially buy one, get one half off.

Most independent salons buy in a few bottles, set them out, sell them as the duo, and break up what is left over in a couple of months.

Salons that are serious about retail buy cases of duos. While it looks like they are purchasing shampoo, what they are really buying is margin. With a ton of product purchased at buy one get one half price, they have 25% more money to work with. Now we have options and opportunity.

Some Retail Promotions That Could Work For You

You could break all of your duos apart and sell the entire line at Buy a liter at full price, get anything else at half off.

You could sell them as open stock, Shampoo and Conditioner Liters at 25% off.

You could buy a case of regular sized product and offer Free Hairspray with the Purchase of a Liter at Regular Price.

You could add $10 to the price of your color, and give away a liter of shampoo or conditioner with the service.

The options are endless and the liter sale is just one example of a buying opportunity. The year is littered with opportunities to purchase 2 items and receive a third free, or with open stock buy one get one half off items.

So the next time your distributor rep comes in with a deal sheet, look closely at the available offers, look for margin and think about what you could create. Retailing is the key to a healthy bottom line. Imagine the possibilities!