It’s that time of year again when appointment slots are quickly filling up, enquiries are flooding in, and everyone in the team is run off their feet. To ensure a successful festive season, it’s crucial to prepare your salon for the inevitable surge in clients.

Here, Tracey Hughes, international ambassador for Kitomba Salon and Spa Software, shares her insights for ensuring your salon thrives during this bustling period.

Forecast demand and optimise staffing

Begin by predicting the demand leading up to the holidays to effectively manage your staffing levels. Utilise your salon software’s reporting capabilities to analyse previous busy seasons, looking at metrics such as appointment volume, peak times, and stylist productivity. This data will help you determine when extra staff are needed and which time slots require more coverage. While having a solid plan is essential, flexibility is equally important. Create adaptable staffing schedules to accommodate increased client traffic. Consider offering additional hours and enticing bonuses to your team, ensuring everyone is informed about the schedule in advance to avoid last-minute surprises.

Enhance the client experience 

It’s vital to prepare your salon for a higher volume of clients without sacrificing service quality. This could include stocking extra retail products and refining your reception processes. To make each client feel valued during this busy time, use your client history notes to personalise their experience. Offer season-specific add-on services or suggest gift options such as holiday bundles. Encouraging your clients to rebook before leaving is also a great way to secure future income.

Optimise your inventory management

The pre-holiday season is not the time to run out of stock or order excess. Analyse your sales data using your salon software to identify the most popular products during peak periods, allowing you to base your decisions on concrete data rather than guesswork. Boost stock levels of these high-demand items and seasonal products like holiday gift packs to prevent shortages. Additionally, place orders early and communicate with suppliers about any potential delays to adjust your inventory plans as necessary.

Run seasonal promotions

The lead-up to the summer is the perfect opportunity to launch seasonal promotions. Create enticing offers for the holiday season, such as gift packs, or bundle packages tailored for the festive season (e.g. microdermabrasion and LED for a pre-party glow). Promote these offers through email newsletters, SMS campaigns, social media, and your salon’s website.

Streamline operations

To alleviate the pressure from an influx of appointments, seek ways to save time and streamline operations. Online booking capabilities can significantly reduce phone inquiries, allowing clients to book appointments directly.

Track your performance metrics regularly

Keep a close watch on key performance indicators such as average revenue per client, service duration, and retention rates. Your salon software should provide real-time insights, allowing you to spot improvement opportunities and adjust your strategies accordingly.

Prepare for unexpected challenges

Things won’t always go to plan, so it’s important to develop contingency plans for potential issues such as staff absences, equipment failures, or supply shortages. Having a plan in place will help you respond quickly and minimise disruptions and stress.