Hair Salon Suppliers
Choosing reputable suppliers for a salon is a bit like dating. You start with the first impression, move onto Q & A, then have a flirt. Checking up on a supplier is a bit like chatting with a love interest’s ex. You want to know about the experience and general opinion.
Hair salon suppliers all have different rules and standards. It’s important to make certain that your needs and their regulations meet. A few simple rules will make this a much smoother relationship.
Know the supplier sales rules – This means minimum purchase limits, shipping costs and varying rates. Find out if there are hidden penalty fees for going under or over. Knowing this allows you to control financial concerns.
Checking reputation – Ask to speak to other customers and look at the company’s time of business. How long have they been offering service and product? How satisfied are their customers? Reputable suppliers should have no issue in supplying this information.
Many products can come direct from the manufacturer. Some will ship for exchange of salon display and split of profit. More costly products will require upfront purchase, and subsequent markup to cover costs. Only a more financially healthy startup can afford this.
The most important consideration is understanding what you can afford upfront. Product displays look very professional. However, weighed against out of pocket can be an ill-advised endeavor. The opportunity to order on demand is a potentially advantageous situation for supplier and salon. In the past this was not an option. More services are catering to this function.
Many people make the mistake of over-supplying. This leads to static products and lack of sales for profit. Good management moderates in-salon product sales and use. Use will remain a constant, while sales will fluctuate. I financially heavy ‘for sale’ inventory is a questionable investment. Products for stylists is a steady market.
That said, keep a record of how products are used. Make note of which stylist has clientele that require me and weigh their draw for the salon against cost. It’s not necessarily more profitable to make a stylist a freelance in your salon. And, if they are a color specialist, it may make sense to try negotiating with a supplier to keep that cost down, and their clients happy. Happy customers give you the ability to have more profit, and then seek better deals with suppliers.
It’s a symbiotic relationship. Diplomacy and a bit of leverage always will act to your benefit.
