Are You Ready to Stop Discounts at Your Salon?
Discounts often seem like a good idea to get clients into your salon. But here in Bahrain, always giving discounts has seriously hurt the business.
The Problem: Why Discounts Harm Our Salons
The truth is, constant discounting has hurt the value of our entire beauty industry. It started during COVID, and now it’s spreading fast – one salon lowers prices, and others feel forced to follow. This creates harmful competition. If we want a strong, healthy industry, we must stop undercutting each other and start supporting one another like a real community.
When you always offer discounts, your clients start to think your normal prices are too high. This causes serious problems:
• Your Skills Seem Cheap: You’ve spent years learning, training your staff, working hard and making your services excellent. When prices are cut, all that effort feels less important. Clients might think your special skills are not worth much.
• You Trap Yourself: When you try to beat competitors with discounts, you trap yourself in a losing game. Skilled employees know their worth – and they’re playing the game too! They want better salaries, but if you’re always cutting prices, you can’t afford them. What happens next? You’re stuck with a less experienced team, working harder for less, in a salon where prices keep dropping. In the end, the value of your business disappears – and so does your salon.
• You Attract the Wrong Clients: People who only come for discounts are not loyal. They will always leave you for the next salon at a cheaper price. This means you’re constantly stressed about finding new clients.
• Your Team Gets Tired: Working hard but earning less makes your team lose their passion for the job. They miss their targets, get stressed, and eventually leave.
Remember, your salon is a real business. It’s not a small hobby. It can be a joyful journey or become a nightmare.
The Solution: Focus on Real Value, Not Low Prices
So, how can we attract and keep clients, and still make good money? You must set your prices based on the real value you give! This also creates fairness for your team.
Imagine if all salons in Bahrain charged fair prices instead of fighting each other with endless discounts – our whole industry would profit and truly grow!
Try Smart Packages with Free Gifts:
At your normal prices, create special packages. Then, add extra service that feels valuable but doesn’t cost you much. Big effect, small cost.
Different Prices for Clients (Easy Choices):
Offer three clear price levels for the same main service in your salon, always with the same great quality.
• Premium: Top products, best results.
• Signature: Good products, great results.
• Basic Essential: Still good quality, simple and affordable.
This lets every client choose what fits their needs and budget.
Pricing Based on Skills (Fair for Your Team and You):
Your senior stylists and therapists – with high experience and special skills – should charge premium prices. This reflects their value and your investment in them.
A fair price increase of 15 percent to 20 percent for senior staff is well-deserved. Most clients respect this when it’s explained properly.
Who are seniors?
10+ years of experience, top skills, loyal clients, high average tickets, strong retail sales (showing deep consultations), income over BD3,500, high rebooking rate and a high salary.
Your junior staff can charge a lower price as they gain experience. This shows a clear growth path for the team.
Staff Badges: Clearly Showing Skills
• Sarah – Senior Expert
• Layla – Junior Expert
Make Every Client Visit Special
Make every client feel truly special from the moment they walk into your salon.
• Great Talks: Listen to what they want and suggest the best service.
By using these smart ways to show value, your salon will attract the right clients, make more money and build a loyal customer base. You’ll no longer need to rely on discounts.
How can I increase prices for senior staff without upsetting my clients?
First, your entire team must clearly understand why the price increase is happening then the front desk. Senior staff should also inform their clients at least two months in advance. This shows respect and protects client loyalty.
The new pricing applies only to senior team members who truly deserve it – those with over 10 years of experience, strong skills, loyal clients, high average tickets, excellent retail sales (based on deep consultation), income over BD3,500 and high rebooking rates. Clients usually appreciate this honesty and professionalism – especially when it reflects real value.
And how will other staff feel?
The requirements for this position are crystal clear, and the path to reach it is open to everyone. The conditions are set, and all team members are welcome to work towards this goal.
Instead of giving discounts, what small extra services can I offer that feel special to clients but don’t cost much?
Nothing is truly free – it’s about smart strategy. Offer low-cost extras that make clients happy and grow your salon. These extras should feel like a gift, but they serve a purpose: to encourage rebooking and increase spending on the next booking.
Examples:
• In the spa: Short extra massage, hot stone add-on or a free eye treatment.
• In the hair section: Quick trim, soft waves or a head/neck/shoulder massage.
• For manicures: Hand mask, 10-minute massage or simple hand treatment.
Remember: You’re not giving away services – you’re building value.
Badia
