Running a salon is a hard job, requiring a lot of management, communication and organizational skills. On top of that, as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of salon owners are struggling to increase efficiency and maximize profits for continued survival. This is a great time to consider reworking the way you do business. Here are our best tips for managing your own salon in Anchorage, AK:
- Order products in bulk less frequently: When you’re placing wholesale product orders, aim to place larger bulk orders less frequently. The shipping industry is still struggling to deliver orders in a timely manner—everyone is shopping online these days. Plan a new product ordering schedule so you get a large influx of products all at once, rather than ordering only when something is close to selling out. You can also change your shipping address to your business. When an address is commercial rather than residential, it can shorten the shipping time. (Plus, there’s usually someone around to receive the delivery.)
- Find a good selling system and stick with it: As you may already know, selling products is one way to boost your salon’s profitability—but it requires a smart selling system. Train your employees to handle downtime and busy times accordingly. If one stylist can’t help a customer right away, have them recommend another stylist who can perform the same service or recommend appropriate products. This ensures you don’t lose out on valuable business. You should also set expectations for downtime, even your own. The more efficiently you utilize your time, the more money you’ll bring in.
- Use the mornings to shop and handle business items: Mornings are usually a slow time for salons. That makes them the perfect time to handle the books, check your inventory and review the schedules as necessary.
- Rotate your stock as needed: When you receive new products, make sure you check the expiration dates of any new items. Place the oldest ones in front. That way, you won’t end up stuck with expired, unsellable products. If you don’t already have an inventory system set up to track this, it’s worth creating one.
- Plan promotions to lure in new customers: Finally, plan promotions ahead of time. Not only will they help bring in new business, but you’ll attract old customers back to your salon as well. Try to do this at least a month in advance, so you can place the appropriate bulk orders. It’ll also help avoid any problems due to shipping delays. Planning your promotions around major holidays and events will ensure your clients always have an excuse to visit—and walk out looking their very best.
Now that you’ve read these tips on how to run your salon efficiently in Anchorage, AK, it’s time to put them into practice. Order your wholesale products from Aurora Beauty Supply today. We carry major salon brands, tools and equipment for all your business needs. Reach out to learn more about what we can do to serve you!