Originally posted https://hji.co.uk/what-happened-at-the-salon-growth-summit
The Salon Growth Summit is taking place at Olympia London across Sunday 1 and Monday 2 March.
If you didn’t get the chance to head down yesterday, here’s a rundown of what you missed…
Salon Growth Summit – Sunday 1 March
Charge your worth: Pricing strategies that equal profit
Business coach and owner of K Spa Whiteley, Kelly Shaw; educator and founder of Winslow Skincare, Elle Winslow; and award-winning hairdresser and owner of Dorato Marlow, Andrea Dorata, came together to discuss how to devise a pricing strategy that factors in therapist expertise, service offering and, crucially, your bottom line.
Andrea noted that because many hairdressers see themselves as artists, conversations around pricing can feel uncomfortable. However, he stressed that when setting your salon prices, you must look at the numbers first and the emotions second.
Kelly echoed this sentiment: “We’re taught how to deliver these incredible treatments, but not how to price them for profit – and that education is missing from our industry.”
For salon owners looking to implement pricing changes, Elle advised leading with positivity. By focusing on new treatments, enhanced retail offerings and exciting team additions, you can help clients understand the value behind any increases.
Competing with clicks: Salon retail tactics for 2026
With online retail continuing to challenge salons and clinics, Jo Wong, business development consultant and founder of Let’s Grow BFF; Gemma Jarvis, director of Beauty Lounge Tankerton; Patrick Gildea, owner of Patrick Gildea Hairdressing & Beauty; and Andrew Magnani, co-founder of Mayflower Spa, explored how to boost retail sales through effective consultations, thoughtful service packages and improved merchandising.
Patrick emphasised that knowledge builds trust. “Consumers aren’t silly – they know when you’re trying to pull the wool over their eyes,” he said. “It becomes obvious if you or your team are forcing a sale and can’t clearly explain how a product works or how it benefits them personally.”
Jo acknowledged that, for many creatives, selling can feel “icky”. The key, she explained, is reframing it. “Your team aren’t dirty salespeople for recommending a conditioner. They’re good therapists. They’re extending the positive experience your client had in the salon.”
KPIs every salon owner should track
Tracking performance is non-negotiable for sustainable growth. Award-winning salon owner Michael Van Clarke, Jessica White, founder of Blanc Studios, and Lorenzo Colangelo, managing director and owner of The Gallery, shared the metrics they believe matter most.
Michael warned against drowning in data and instead focuses on four core KPIs: revenue, rebooking rate, retail sales and new client requests.
When salons are looking to increase their bottom line, Jessica notes that filling white space isn’t always the solution.
“Sometimes the best approach is to nurture the clients you already have. Increase customer spend by a slight percentage, and if you do that across your whole client base, you’ll see improvement,” she says.
Stay tuned for more content from the Salon Growth Summit...
