MORE COMPETITION - Madison Reed is On The Move

Those who have read today's Wall Street Journal may see that Madison Reed is planning to

take another bite out of the salon professional hair coloring business. It is reported that the first of their well-planned min-stores, will soon open in a very upscale mall, located in Paramus, New Jersey. The brick and morter location will NOT offer hair color services, but

will sell, in a very curated manner, gorgeous "at home" hair color kits, offered by well-trained

consultants who will greet you with joy, consult with you beautifully, and advise you on the precise shade(s), methods, mixing, application and timing so that YOU will obtain gorgous

at home color results at much less the price .. and time.. needed at a beauty salon. The packaging will be status-symbol and chic.. no more like the plastic drug or discount store

wrapping shoppers chosed to hide after leaving a drug or discount store. Retail hair color

is becoming 'chic". I ask my professional friends here to read this Wall Street article in

its entirety.

So, how do salons respond? Should we, in turn, offer a lovely consultation with one of our staff, write complete instructions, provide (sell) all the color developer, applicators, shampoos and conditioners.. package all with instructions, and sell at at double our COG... avoiding use of our physicl energy, product inventory, sinks, water, electricity, towels, and accessories? Do we make "color consultation for your at- home expereince" part of our salon

menu? I offer no firm answers here............ BUT. Consider this:

Perhaps the hair color appointment changes.. becomes a spa -like service where the client enters your "zen like" location, is greeted warmly, graciously and immediately.

The space is fragrant with fresh flowers, clean spaces and relaxing sounds. She is escorted to a changing area where she comfortably and privately changes into a smock. A beverage is offered as she is seated at your immaculate chair. You sit next to her and exchange pleasantries.. and then chat about her color... is she happy? What changes, if any, would she like today? Does she plan to travel or to spend time in the sun during the next month or so...Do this as you evaluate her hair. Make suggestions! ALL THIS MATTERS.

Now,Her color formula is mixed and applied to perfection, a phone charger and several magazines are at your station should she need them. You check her color every ten minutes, assuring her comfort and taking a necessary strand test. Later, the shampoo and conditioning session are provided in a spa-like manner with wonderful massage, thorough cleansing, and a perfect conditioning treatment. You should schedule 30 extra minutes to provide this curated service. Will you charge more? NO. Will you keep a client who will refer others? YES. You have created an exquisite salon service. In June or July you will print and frame "Salon Service Menu, Effective September, 2025. The price will be an additional 5 to 10 percent more. You will NOT lose this client. She will not consider doing this at home.

I need to hear from you. What do YOU THINK? Being afraid of what is going on or just "giving up" .. being upset. simply does not work. Let me hear from you. Beth Minardi