Lessons in Salon Management

The business of running a salon isn’t an easy one. As a salon owner, you need to manage operations, marketing, human resources, customer relations and much more. With no formal education available in salon management, owners are often left grappling with multiple challenges. Kanishka Ramchandani looks at new-age solutions that salon owners can use to streamline their processes.

The salon industry in India is part of the exponentially growing beauty sector. From home-based beauty parlours and single-chair barber shops, the market has expanded to premium salons around every corner. Be it standalone salons or chains, the salon industry has expanded across tier II and III cities, too, giving business opportunities to many. In recent years, it has evolved from a servicedriven business to a talent-driven one.

While opportunities to earn and grow are aplenty in this sector, the challenges it faces cannot be ignored. From intense price wars to the constant struggle of staff retention, rising rentals and supply chain disruptions, salon owners must navigate a complex landscape. Additionally, the competition from dermatologists and cosmetologists adds to the difficulty levels. Here are some key challenges faced by salon owners:

MEETING CUSTOMER DEMANDS

Regularly update your services and product offerings to align with the latest beauty and wellness trends.

Enhance transparency by clearly communicating product ingredients and service details.

FREELANCERS AND HOME SERVICE PROVIDERS OFFER COMPETITIVE PRICING

To combat this, salons should focus on enhancing the customer experience and unique offerings. Investing in loyalty programmes and exclusive promotions can help retain customers and differentiate the salon from low cost competitors.

LICENSES AND PERMITS TO RUN A SALON OR A SPA REQUIRES TIME AND EFFORT

Engage a professional consultant or legal advisor to streamline the licensing and compliance processes. Use an accounting software to manage GST and local taxes.

FINDING AND RETAINING SKILLED PROFESSIONALS

Invest in continuous training and development programmes to enhance both technical and soft skills of your staff, increasing job satisfaction.

BRANDING AND MARKETING

A digital marketing strategy is a must-have. It includes social media, SEO and influencer partnerships.’

RISING COMPETITION FROM AESTHETIC PRACTITIONERS

Collaborate with medical professionals to offer joint services and exclusive packages that combine advanced treatments with salon expertise.

ENSURING A STEADY SUPPLY OF HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS CAN BE CHALLENGING

Establish strong relationships with reliable suppliers and diversify your sourcing options to mitigate supply chain disruptions.

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Give high service quality to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty. Make sure that the salon environment is clean, comfortable and inviting. Implement rigorous staff training programmes and quality control measures to maintain high service standards consistently.