MARKETING TIPS

[Robert Marc]

I AM INTERESTED IN YOUR POINT OF VIEW, HERE'S MINE


I have been Instrumental in creating brand awareness and increased sales in excess of 45% for over 100 companies such as, Bristol Meyers, Clairol, Estee Lauder, Alberto Culver, Vidal Sassoon, Helene Curtis, Subway, Beecham Cosmetics, Revlon, Matrix, Eva Gabor International, Lee Nails, and others.

Additionally I have served small to medium sized companies including English Ideas, For Perms Only, Orly International, Pro-Tec Eyewear, American International, Spornette Brush, On Stage Cosmetics, L’Anza International and over 350, We Care Hair Salons.

We are successful because we are in touch with all aspects and needs of the beauty industry, from the manufacture, to the distributor to the salon and finally to the consumer. We MUST answer and develop programs for each and every segment of distribution or the marketing plan WILL FAIL.

[Hairflix Team]

I believe that everyone has lost sight of the "retail goal", that is getting professional products into the hands of the consumer to build brand loyalty. There is a major Market shift occurring in this economic downturn. I do not believe in light of this shift how the old model distribution channel will continue to be effective.

The Salon industry has become more fragmented as many stylists have decided to go to booth rental. The independent in most cases does not have support of the salon and if there is no retail structure. Hairdressers are left with the decision of stocking their own inventory or sending their client to a local retailer to purchase professional products. As an industry we have done a better job at building brand loyalty than service loyalty. This is why the large retail companies have been buying out the large professional brands. As hairdressers, we have done our jobs, building retail into the billion dollar business that it is today.

Because of the current economic woes many stylists are seeing a decrease in customers and frequency of visits. Many customer are also opting to do their own hair color and there is a increase of box color being sold. By the way these color sales are profiting the very companies that now own our major professional brands. I hope that more stylists realize in many cases they are supporting brands that are continuing to take money out of their pockets. Many hairdressers today are focused on improving their services to the remaining clientele that is still supporting them. However in many instances it is becoming harder and harder to stock the inventory to keep our customers using their favorite brands.

Our customers are smarter today, they will continue to seek the brands that we have taught them to purchase with undying loyalty even if they are no longer being serviced by us. They seek these brands on the internet and they are purchasing multiple products just to keep them in stock because they are no longer seeing us as often or maybe not coming to us at all.

I believe that hairdressers should have the capability to offer their client their favorite brands from a warehouse of products inventoried on line,supported my manufacturers and distributors and still have the ability to earn commission on these products by recommending that all customers purchase these goods from their stylist.
( Thanks JP) This is not a dream but is becoming a reality as long as we can get manufactures to support this vision but first they have to recognize that they are indeed in the retail business and that the internet can become everyone's best friend not their enemy.

Companies like Aveda and Kerastase' are already doing this but will have limited success because customer demand today is for new discoveries. Hairdressers are no longer the number one source of information about new brands. Many of the clients that I service have educated me about services and products that use to be introduced to me by a sales consultant, that I no longer see in my salon.

I could go on for days but in conclusion let me say, this is what HairFlix is about, becoming the biggest best professional online beauty authority for products and service on the internet for both consumers and stylists. This will create a professional authorized online beauty channel for products and services. We are the beauty insiders that our customers have grown to love and trust. Why should we allow beauty outsiders profit in what is and what was ours. Lets take back our industry it's time for a Beauty Revolution, together we all can do this.

Peace
Rocco