\r\nThis, in turn, has helped Sally Beauty meet expectations from consumers for faster service, and support the company’s 2-hour delivery standard.
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\r\nUsing the mobile app, Sally Beauty store associates can now see what they have in-store by checking handhelds and can replenish stock faster when inventory levels dip. This ultimately curbs lost sales and boosts the customer experience.
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\r\nTraining-wise, using consumer-styled devices has simplified the employee training process and lowered the learning curve, and helped get new hires up-to-speed and onboarded more quickly. Ultimately, Arnold says that handheld technology frees up Sally Beauty associates to focus more on the customer and deliver a memorable, engaging experience. By empowering associates with information on inventory, they also feel more confident in customer-facing roles.
Enabling associates to deliver a more engaging customer experience will be key in Sally Beauty’s next venture – a new concept store named ‘Studio by Sally’ that builds in a DIY-centric salon experience to the store visit.
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\r\nArnold shares that associates at these concept stores will be trained cosmetologists, allowing customers to work with a licensed stylist to improve their personal styling and achieve results at home using Sally Beauty products.
With salons and hairdressers shuttered during pandemic lockdowns, these kinds of DIY, at-home beauty treatments skyrocketed, along with sales of products like hair dye. Studio by Sally will build on customers' new confidence in trying out styles and techniques at home, but with an added salon-style consultation built into the experience.
\r\n\r\n“This is a new way to engage, educate and empower consumers using interactive experiences to showcase Sally Beauty’s on-trend, color, and care expertise and drive product sales,” Arnold shared.
\r\n\r\nFocused on educating and informing customers, Studio by Sally will have a digital-first focus from virtual check-in and digital education throughout the store to DIY demos, streaming at the storefront, and take-home videos from the personalized sessions.
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\r\n“Consumers today are creative and savvy,” said John Goss, Sally Beauty’s president, in a statement. “They know they can achieve great hair at home and are hungry for knowledge to help them do it. It’s in our DNA to empower consumers and help grow their confidence when it comes to coloring and caring for their hair. We created Studio By Sally to help take them to the next level in their DIY hair journeys.”