5 Tips to Get a Year-End Financial Boost

This post originally appeared on SolaSalonStudios.com

As we near the end of a difficult financial year, you might find yourself looking for some ways to get one last year-end financial boost. Retail is an excellent way to give you that biz boost you are looking for and an easy way to increase your bottom line without spending more hours behind the chair. So, even if you're never dabbled in the retail game before, there is no better time to hop on the train than when sales are at an all-time high.

Did you know that the holidays are when many businesses do 60 percent or more of their sales for the entire year? Take advantage of the holiday splurge-fest with these holiday retailing tips: 

1. Create Festive Retail-Focused Displays

It is the time of year to put out special holiday displays featuring gift sets and packaged deals to get people doing their holiday shopping in your salon. Not only is it a great opportunity for people to treat their friends and family, but it is also a good time for people to treat themselves! Remind your clients that they, too, deserve a little extra pampering around the holiday season. After all, this year has been tough and the holidays can get stressful for everyone. Who couldn’t use a little retail therapy with self-care products from the salon?

2. Incorporate Retail Into Your Decor

It’s always fun to get in the holiday spirit by turning your salon into a festive oasis. Even if you don't love going all out on holiday salon makeovers, you can still get in the holiday spirit with some peppermint candies, a festive bouquet of flowers and some holiday background music. It's important to make sure that your holiday displays are integrated into the decor of your salon.

3. Ready-To-Open Gift Sets

Gift sets are an economical and easy way to give the gift of self-care. When clients are in your chair, ask them, "Who are you shopping for this holiday season?" and when they tell you, recommend products or gift baskets that could work for those loved ones on their shopping list. Not only will you save them the time and hassle of having to deal with the holiday shopping madness or post-office delays from shopping online, but you could potentially turn them on to new products they've never thought to buy before.

4. Holiday Specials

Try to incorporate your products into services by offering a special deal on a product when purchased with particular services that are popular around the holidays. For example, if deep conditioning treatments or blow-drys are a common service you provide, offer a discounted take-home leave-in treatment or blow-dry spray to continue the results at home. You can get creative in naming these like a “Winter Hair Self-Care Package” or a “Holiday Blow-Dry Special” so that they realize these are seasonal, and therefore time-sensitive, offers.

5. Market Your Holiday Retail

Use social media posts and text and email blasts to announce your holiday deals. This way, your clients can prep their shopping spree before they come in for their holiday appointment. Some people may not think of the salon as a place to do their holiday shopping, but if you are showing them gift sets and using language like, “gift of self-care,” or “liquid love,” they’ll begin to associate your salon with an opportunity to splurge on loved ones with products that they know and love. They might even book an appointment over the holidays specifically to take advantage of your holiday specials.