We read an article today outlining Tesco’s plan’s to move into the Hair & Beauty Market – a move that has started already with 8 of it’s stores in the UK opening in-store Regis Salons, the nearest to us being Horwich, Bolton.
Here in Altrincham we’ve already seen Tesco’s monopolize the high street. As we saw earlier this year when Tesco’s closed down for a short period – our high street was vibrant and full of life with people fully experiencing both a mixture of independent stores and national chains which complement them
How can the small independent barber or hairdresser fight back? You wont’t be able to compete with sheer marketing power if a Tesco’s Hairdressers launched in Altrincham or Sale
Customer Service
As we know from the food or non food sections of Tesco’s currently – they simply can’t compete with SME’s on customer service and giving individual attention to customers
Have a look at our previous blog – 5 Simple Things That Local Businesses Do Wrong – for some of those bugbears that maybe you could be changing
Remember though your local barber knows you, knows what you do and what you like and don’t like. This is the one big advantage you have over the big chains. A big friendly smile when you go to get a haircut
Will Tesco’s really be anything more than a quick 5 minute impersonal touch while they try to upsell you other products
Imagine trying to hide that you’re going away on holiday in case they try and sell travel insurance, tanning lotion and clothes!!!
Social Media
We haven’t seen many Hairdressers or Beauty Salons use Social Media effectively yet – why not?
It’s the perfect medium to stay in touch with existing clients as well as to reach out to new clients
Imagine being able to continue that conversation with a client after they’ve left the premises so they feel wanted
Social Media is what most local businesses do very well – only it’s translated online to multiple people rather than just one
If you own a beauty salon to get in touch as alongside restaurants in one of the perfect businesses to utilise social media
Don’t Compete On Price
Groupon and Living Social Culture has seen a glut of companies giving 50% discounts as standard.
Somebody can always undercut you and if that’s your sole selling point then you’re unlikely to be able to undercut a national supermarket chain
If you’re delivering a premium product sell it as such as people are prepared to pay and at the same time feel its good value for money
Let us know your thoughts…
What do you feel about Tesco’s move into a new market?
Do you prefer to shop local or do everything in one roof?
Is your local hairdresser or beauty salon on twitter or facebook?
