Pulse June 2020 | Page 67

and educate them on selling strategy and best practices. While this is true, you might be able to achieve similar—or better—results by investing in your retail space and product mix. Creating an environment in which customers want to shop will also make them more likely to buy, and therefore easier to sell to. Staff will be more excited and motivated with a diverse product mix. And remember that a welcoming and well-sourced retail area never calls out sick! n “Create some areas which will feel more ‘exclusive,’ stocked with luxury items. Utilize a variety of heights, textures, colors and scents. This encourages the guest to shop not just for themselves, but for loved ones as well.” QUICK TIPS FOR RETAIL l Rotate retail weekly. Each time a guest comes into your location, they are more likely to look around if they feel that something is new and see something they have not seen. l Signage makes retail entertaining! Go beyond just shelf talkers, however—add any editorials, beauty awards and celebrity endorsements the product has received. Highlight the content in unique frames and rotate it often. l Have your store be Instagramready at all times. Perhaps even designate a selfie station. When permissible after the COVID-19 pandemic, a “stay and play” station with makeup, mirrors and a sink is a good idea, too. l Now is a time to think outside the box. Offer reusable cloth masks or scented hand sanitizers for purchase in your retail area. l Replacing magazines in the sitting area with before and after books from your skin care or device companies also helps to engage the guest. l Engage the senses everywhere. With more attention being drawn to hygiene, use hand soaps in bathrooms that you retail in your store. l Offer impulse products under $15 at the desk. (Lip balms, eye patches and sheet masks always get me!) l Avoid being out of stock. A guest wants to go home with what they purchased. Keeping control on your inventory will maximize your profit and avoid losing a sale. l Create hierarchy by making a ‘product-of-the-week’ special. l Have pricing either on the product or in a frame that is easy to see. Clients don’t want to ask what the price is and they may simply pass on the item if the price is not shown. l Lean on your vendors for support: quarterly business reviews to tweak inventory, gift with purchase options/samples, merchandizing ideas, quarterly sales contests, etc. Always be open to learning what is new! JACLYN LUONGO is a licensed esthetician, make-up artist, esthetic instructor, beauty blogger, business consultant and regional sales manager with over 20 years of experience in the spa industry. She is currently USA Sales Manager for Inika Organic. JUNE 2020 ■ PULSE 55