THE POWER OF A PRESCRIPTION

A natural part of this job is spa research and mystery audits. Call it a work perk! But what I find is often lacking when I receive a treatment, is that I almost never receive a skin prescription. Why does this make me sad? Well firstly, its because I meet so many spa directors and owners that lament the lack of retail sales. Then secondly, it’s because I’m actually yearning for a skin diagnosis and some good solid advice from a professional. After all, I have just had a therapists undivided attention on my face or body for at least an hour, maybe even more - observing my skin under a light, feeling its texture, seeing the way it responds to various products. The least I expect is a little bit of guidance. What type of skin do I have? Am I prematurely ageing? How do I best take care of my skin? Are there any particular products that are highly recommended?

Now while I may have ticked all product boxes on my consultation form, it does not mean that I am closed to considering a new brand or a particular product in that brand. I might even be ready for a complete skincare overhaul! You never will know if you don’t tell me what I need.

Guests and clients are looking for solutions and aestheticians and therapists are perfectly poised, given their expertise to give it. In fact, if they don’t, that same client may be buying their skincare from the local chemist.

One simple solution to this, is designing an easy to use prescription that therapists give to each client. They simply tick all of the products used in the spa ritual, down to the essential oil used in the space, and then asterix or underline 1 to 3 hero products they believe would work wonders for their client. It takes all of one minute or less!

It’s a good idea for your prescription form to feature each product, along with how to use it - am, pm or weekly. The other thing to note when designing your form is to add the price discreetly alongside so that it serves as a price list. Many guests are too embarrassed to ask for a price, so this helps them do the maths in case they wish to purchase.

And finally, even if your client does not purchase product today, they may return tomorrow, or at the very least they have received the full circle of professional advice and guidance that we all expect when visiting a day spa or beauty salon.

If you need a prescription designed do let us know as we would love to help, or take a cue from the example in the photo.

HEALTHY RETAIL PROFITS

For a business to experience true profitable wellness and for a spa business to thrive, its essential to map out a clear retail strategy.

Unfortunately many spa's often miss the mark when it comes to merchandising and promoting their skincare and retail offering. If you have the luxury of designing a new spa its important to build in a generous retail boutique near reception and if you have an exisiting spa consider how your retail space might be remodelled or improved. Concept stores such as Aesop, Aveda, Jurlique and Perfect Potion provide wonderful retail inspiration. These companies appreciate the importance of visual merchandising and specific placement of products, and spare no expense in achieving the perfect retail environment that has you coming back time and again. A taster bar that allows clients the opportunity to smell and feel product also creates a great connection. 

Be sure to include a diverse range of retail products in your boutique including but not limited to; inner health supplements, a mens range, a lifestyle range, heat packs, eye pillows, body brushes, bath products, muscle ease products, gift packs, insect repellant, baby products, deodorant, suncare and sun soothing care, lip balm, writing journals. The sky is the limit! And weave as many products as you can into the guest journey. Every touch point should be connected to a retail offering. For example; shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand wash and hand lotion in the bathrooms should be available in your boutique. Perhaps the bath robes and slippers are also available. You might serve teas, alchemy cordials or beauty chef elixirs in the relaxation area. Feature essential oils in foot bowls, foot compresses and in aromatic diffusers placed around the spa. And ensure that any oils or mists used in the opening and closing sequence are available for retail purchase as well. You might also expand your retail boutique to include candles, eye pillows,   aroma reeds, bath salts, writing journals, gift cards...in fact the options are endless. 

One challenge we experience as spa operators, is that many therapists believe that their duty of care goes no farther than delivering a treatment. Sadly, this sees the industry's average in retail sales quite low, and has our spa clients going elsewhere to purchase their skincare, such as 'heaven forbid' the supermarket shelf or David Jones counter. And buying skincare in this way, hardly provides the prescription our client might have received had their therapist shared even just a small percent of their extensive knowledge on the skins anatomy. During a treatment a therapist has the unique opportunity to carefully analyse a clients skin as well as work with it and notice how it responds to certain products. It really is the perfect scenario for giving each and every client a prescription to support the needs of their skin. In fact, a therapist is in the doctors chair when performing a treatment, and the more a therapist truly believes in what they have have to offer, the more in service they can be. Have your therapists embrace this belief and give them the training and tools to recommend in a sophisticated way and watch your retail sales improve dramatically. And don't forget that introducing the brand begins during the consultation and preparing the client to receive a prescription also begins here. The therapist can ask the client if they would be happy to receive any applicable advice and a prescription at the close of their treatment. This is a polite way to ask for permission and creates the expectation that will then hold the therapist accountable. 

It is also very helpful for a spa to design its own skin and lifestyle prescription. This is not an expensive exercise in terms of graphic design and printing, and yet so worthwhile to your business, your therapist and your guest. It keeps your branding cohesive and makes completing the prescription a breeze for busy therapists. The prescription informs the guest of all products used in their treatment, along with the price so there are no embarrassing surprises and the therapist can specifically highlight 1 to 3 products that they especially recommend for their client. This can be as easy as saying; "your skin responded particularly well to the hyaluronic serum, which Ive highlighted here for you". The spa manager can decide how the guest journey will best flow and whether the prescription is discussed in the treatment room or relaxation lounge or at the reception desk upon departure. The receptionist can be instrumental in closing a sale.

Retail sales are finite and only limited by your running out of stock, and even then there is always a way around that such as postal delivery. Whereas there are only so many hours and treatment rooms and therapists rostered on in one day, which caps the profit potential of your treatment revenue. Therefore if you want your retail to thrive, create a fantastic retail space, add a tester bar, weave retail products into every part of your guest journey, train your team continually and ensure that every guest leaves with a prescription form at the very least.

Your clients will respect the level of service and the care and knowledge they receive when visiting your spa, and both your client, your team and your business will thrive. We are after all in customer service and offering our expertise in skin and body wellness is what we are here to offer the world.