Managing stock in a busy salon is challenging. The goal is to prevent over- or under-stocking, so the salon runs efficiently.
To achieve this, you must accurately predict demand, track use, manage expiry dates, and prevent shrinkage through misuse (and, sadly, theft), all while controlling the budget.
A combination of smart purchasing strategies and a reliable supply partner are key to keeping your business running smoothly.
This article shows you how to effectively control salon inventory, and how Hair Health & Beauty can help.
Track usage trends
The best way to avoid overbuying or running out of key products is to track their use. This way, you can see how much of each item is being used and when, and establish trends.
The easiest way to track usage is with a simple spreadsheet. Make your own using MS Excel or a salon software log.
List every item in the salon – from shampoo and developer to gloves and foils – and fill in how much of each is used every day. Success depends on the spreadsheet being filled in daily – no exceptions.
It won’t take long for trends to appear. You can then adjust your reordering cycle based on actual use.
Assign one person to be responsible for stock control
It’s not the most popular job in a salon, but whether you’re a solo practitioner or a team, someone needs to check and reorder stock regularly.
If you’re a solo professional, then it will be your job. If there’s a team of busy stylists, it may be most efficient to assign the stock control to one person, whose daily job it is to stock take, update the spreadsheet and reorder.
If assigning one person won’t work, rotate the responsibility but ensure the system remains consistent.
Buy in bulk where it makes sense
A spreadsheet will soon reveal the items that are used most frequently and in what quantities. Bulk buying of professional salon and spa products that are used in high volumes and have long shelf lives (e.g. from shampoo to cotton pads, towels to acetone) offers numerous benefits.
For starters, bulk purchases are convenient. They mean less frequent ordering, which reduces the risk of running out and ensures a steady supply of essential items.
Typically, buying in bulk reduces unit costs. Lowering the price per item improves profit margins on services and retail products.
Remember: always check expiry dates and ensure you have adequate secure storage. Look here to see the best professional products to buy in bulk for salons and spas from Hair Health & Beauty.
Standardise your salon’s go-to brands
There are so many professional brands and treatments to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. There’s a temptation to offer numerous brands and products, especially the latest viral sensation.
However, there are good reasons why salons should limit their choices to a few trusted brands across key product types. Standardising your go-to brands offers a strong identity and service consistency. It also simplifies training and ordering by using fewer suppliers.
The aim always is to choose brands and treatments that enhance the natural beauty of your client’s hair. These tips will help you select brands that work for your salon or spa:
Adjust your reordering schedule based on supplier delivery lead times
A spreadsheet will quickly reveal high-turnover items that you can’t risk running out of. To prevent this, always plan orders to arrive before stocks run too low.
In your reordering schedule, remember to factor in supplier delivery lead times. If you have a week’s supply of shampoo in your stock room, but your supplier takes two weeks to deliver, you’re going to be in trouble.
A supplier’s lead time depends on it having the product in stock. Delays on imported products, in particular, can extend normal lead times.
Use your supplier’s online shop to stay organised
Ordering your salon and spa supplies from an online shop helps with stock management. An online account makes it easy to track past purchases and spends, and to reorder new and repeat supplies.
At Hair Health & Beauty, we make it easy to reorder staples and explore new product ranges on our website, with clear categories for all salon and spa essentials:
Rising product and import costs can negatively impact your salon’s margins. Efficient stock control can mitigate against this.
Choosing a reliable trade supplier like Hair Health & Beauty ensures you don’t lose revenue due to delays or poor-quality products.