MEMBER PERSPECTIVES
CONTINUED costs across the board and simplifying inventory .
Simplifying backbar products has also been an ongoing project at The Remedy Day Spa , which viewed the pandemic as an opportunity to rethink every aspect of its business .“ How often do businesses get that opportunity to clean the slate ?” asks Warr , adding that its reevaluated treatments and protocols have been “ very well-received both internally and externally .” To streamline its backbar , The Remedy eliminated most of its seasonal treatments , which used products ( such as a pumpkin enzyme mask in autumn ) that had limited shelf-lives — in other words , a pumpkin mask that sells well in October isn ’ t as appealing to clients in January .“ The original thought was that it was a great way to sell retail , but what really ended up happening was that it was a lot of backbar to buy , a lot of retail to stock , and then if you didn ’ t use it all or sell it all , you have product in your retail or backbar that is obsolete ,” Warr explains .
The Remedy Day Spa undertook a larger reworking of its menu late in 2020 by moving towards a “ custom treatment ” framework . Previously , their menu featured many different treatment options , each employing its own product lines : “ We used three facial product lines ,” says Warr ,“ and within each of those lines we did three different facials , so our menu had nine facials . Now we just offer a Custom Facial .” Most of those nine facials are still available , but rather than forcing the client to choose one at the time of booking , the new framework allows them to consult with their service provider at the time of the service , letting the provider decide what is best for their skincare needs — which , according to Warr , was what often happened anyway . Part of what allows for this customized framework is the spa ’ s pricing structure : rather than charging more for a deep tissue massage than a Swedish , for example , The Remedy has always charged a flat fee .
Plans for 2021
As 2021 continues , these menu changes and overhauls will continue to develop . Back at Scottsdale Camelback Resort , the spa launched an entirely new menu in February , a decision which was inspired by the challenging year behind us . “ 2020 was a difficult year and people needed to be reminded of the importance of self-care ,” says Battaglia , “ so my focus for the creation of this menu was balance and wellness .” Battaglia also rethought her spa ’ s enhancements menu , adding high-profit ( and high-demand ) products like CBD and anti-aging treatments . Much like Scottsdale Camelback Resort , The Remedy Day Spa has emphasized making the add-on menu , rather than the treatment menu itself , the space where premium-priced services and products can be found — while a “ Custom Massage ” may cost the same whether you receive a deep tissue or Swedish massage , add-
“ I have found so much [ by scaling back ] and taking those simplified , modular pieces of our menu . We still have a robust slate of services , but scaling back the variables has reduced our overhead .”
— MANDY WARR , Owner , The Remedy Day Spa
42 PULSE ■ APRIL 2021