Covid-19 has presented new challenges in every business. Among them, the beauty and wellness industry is one of the most affected ones. Salon and spa owners are at a loss to decide how to keep their businesses running while the customers are wondering whether it will be safe to visit these places.
Actually, your next salon visit can be quite surprising!
Starting from extensive cleaning and sterilisation of salon equipment to temperature checks of every customer walking in – these will be the new salon etiquettes.
The personal care sector, which includes hairdressers, barbers, spas, etc. are still shut in the UK since the lockdown began in March.
Dominic Raab, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, stated that these businesses could be considered for reopening on or after phase three, which would be from 4th July at the “very earliest”.
In such dire straits, it has become crucial for the personal care business owners to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.
In this writeup, we will discuss some tips to stay safe while offering salon services or enjoying them.
1. Opt For Online Appointment
Encourage your customers to pre-book via online appointments. Walk-in appointments must not be allowed. Call up your clients or send them a message to pass on the information. You can use social media channels to boost your appointment bookings. Now, Facebook and Instagram profiles facilitate easy booking and managing of appointments. Avail the opportunity to reach out to your customers.
2. Reduce Services And Availability
Salons and spas offer high-touch services like various types of massages, facials, waxing, manicure, pedicure, and it is an unending list. However, after the coronavirus outbreak, the situation demands a change in strategy for the beauty industry in their day-to-day operations. And, we need to accept the fact that refraining from intimate or personal touch services is the best way to maintain safety. The salons can restrict certain services for the time being. It is also vital to reduce the availability of the services so that it adds more time between the appointments. The time can be effectively used for cleaning and sanitisation of various equipment like salon trolleys, and massage tables.
3. Check Temperature Of Staff And Clients
The salons must announce the safety measures to their clients by newsletter email or posts in social media profiles. The temperature check with non contact digital forehead thermometers both for the staff and clients is a must. If required, clients must be asked to cancel their appointment at no charge.
4. Disinfect Salon Equipment
Cleaning of salon equipment is perhaps the most important responsibility that the owners must look into. The high-end salon equipment and furniture like electric massage beds, salon chairs, nail bars, trolleys, pedicure chairs, beauty seats, spa couches, etc., must be cleaned and sanitised at regular intervals. Not only the tools, but you also need to sanitise all the table surfaces and high-touch point areas like the door handles and switches.
5. Eliminate Cancellation Fees
We all know how COVID-19 has impacted us. Anyone can fall sick at any time. In such a situation, if a customer feels ill, he/she may want to cancel the appointment. It is very necessary for the salons and other wellness centres to eliminate any type of appointment cancellation fee. And, they must also ensure to make it easy for clients to reschedule the appointment without any sort of penalties.
6. Practice Hand Sanitizing
Locate foot sanitizer dispensers and ask the clients to use sanitiser before and after entering the salon. Employees should regularly practice handwashing and sanitising. Keep sanitisers at all the significant places like the reception, individual stations and restrooms. Every staff member must wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more after interacting with each client.
7. Wear Masks
Wearing protective masks is essential for everyone in such a situation. Salons are no exception. No clients must be allowed to enter the salon without a mask. Every protective measure taken up by the salons must be communicated to their clients. By doing this, the customers can rely on their services and feel safe on visiting the salons. Such steps make your customers believe that you care for them. And, they won’t even think of visiting any other salon.
What else do you need than a loyal customer in such a hard time!
Final Thoughts
We know, many of you are waiting for the much-needed salon or spa visit as soon as the government eases the restrictions. But, remember that the coronavirus threat is not gone. So, it is best if you choose the salon services wisely. We have to abide by the rules to keep ourselves safe in this ‘new normal’ world. And, the health care business owners must use high-quality cleaning products and disinfectants to keep their shops running.
