Best Practise Merchandised Salon
This conceptual space was designed as part of a larger project to create a set of inspirational images and guidelines for the Kérastase and SHU UEMURA marketing teams to inspire salons on how to best lay out and create a luxury salon environment that will create a premium experience for the client and support the stylist in creating opportunities for improving their business through bringing in passing trade, retaining existing clients and improving sales of retail.
A salon space can be broken down into 7 functioning spaces that can be designed to work for the salon in different ways:
The Windows are designed with views through to the styling area and large visuals with branded head shots so as to communicate the purpose of the space to the street, increasing the likelihood of walk-in clients. The visuals in the windows are periodically rotated to coincide with those used in the advertising campaigns of the brands to gain recognition by association.
The Reception area should welcome the client to the salon but not be imposing. If too large it becomes a place that staff congregate so it is better to use the space efficiently, ideally have only 'cash and wrap' stations and where possible a mobile 'check in' point to reduce the need for clients arriving at the salon to queue. The reception desk is a perfect place to gain a retail sale from a client that was not otherwise interest. By placing promotional, or 'Highly Recommended' calls to purchase here otherwise uninterested clients are often tempted to trial a product.
Retail should feature at the start and end of the client journey. By minimizing seating in the reception area clients are encouraged to stand and browse. Products with clear communication call out to clients' attention. Seating in the space should be positioned facing the retail where ever possible.
The Consultation Area is a valuable step that is often skipped in the salon journey. By creating a small but well designed area especially for consultation we enhance and customise the clients' experience. Consultation reassures the client that they can trust the stylist to give them what they have come in for. It also offers an opportunity to remind the client that stylists have expert skill and can make recommendations on what products would be care for the clients specific hair type. It's for this reason that a second, smaller retail area is positioned here, within reach of the consultation area the stylist can tell educate the client on what care products will be used on them in the backwash and why.
The Backwash should be a haven of peace in a busy salon. Direct sight lines of the rest of the salon should be closed off from the basin. While the client sits here they should be at their most comfortable and relaxed. Lighting should be dimmed with individual spot lights above the basins for checking colour but otherwise only indirect lighting should be used. This area should be well branded with identifiable visuals and a neat, tidy and clean display. By clearly branding this space and informing the client of the products that are being used throughout their visit and why, emphasis is placed on the importance of the product.
Styling is often where the client will spend the majority of their time. The space should be aesthetically interesting and the reflections in the styling mirrors should lead to views of retail products where possible. This is a perfect opportunity to place more text heavy promotional information in front of the client as they are sat for a longer period and are more likely to read and absorb it.
This project was undertaken while I was working at Montage interior design agency as the Senior Interior Designer responsible for all UK salon projects.