How to purchase your initial stock of professional and retail products

To launch your business successfully, your first stock order must strike a balance between having enough professional product to service every client and keeping your retail investment lean to protect your cash flow. Start by ordering the "essentials" for your most popular services and a small, curated selection of retail products that you genuinely believe in. Avoid the temptation to stock every shade or size initially; focus on the high-turnover items that keep your chair busy and your clients satisfied.

Distinguishing your stock types

In a hairdressing or barbering business, your stock is generally split into two distinct categories. Understanding the difference is vital for both your service delivery and your profit margins.

Stock Type	Purpose	Examples
Back Bar (Professional)	Used by you during the service. These are often larger, more concentrated bottles.	Large-format shampoos, developers, bleaching powders, and neutralisers.
Retail	Sold to the client for home maintenance. These should be aesthetically pleasing and portable.	Styling pomades, leave-in conditioners, heat protection sprays, and retail-sized shampoos.

Steps to purchasing your first batch

Once you have your suppliers ready, follow these steps to place your first order:

1. Audit your service menu: Look at the services you expect to perform most frequently in your first month. If you are a colour specialist, your back bar order will be heavy on pigments and developers. If you focus on barbering, you'll need more tonics and shave creams.
2. Select your 'Hero' retail products: Don't try to stock the full range of a brand. Pick 5 to 10 'hero' products that solve the most common hair problems (e.g., dryness, lack of volume, or colour fade). It is easier to sell products you personally use and trust.
3. Check for 'Opening Order' deals: Many UK wholesalers and brands offer "introductory kits." These often provide a better price-per-unit than buying individual items and frequently include free marketing materials or branded towels.
4. Calculate your 'Par' levels: Decide on the minimum amount of a product you want to have on the shelf at any time. For your first order, a common rule of thumb is to have enough back bar stock for two weeks of intensive work and enough retail stock to sell one item to every third client.

Tips for smart stock purchasing

"Retail is detail. Don't buy stock just because it looks good on the shelf; buy it because you know exactly which client profile it is for."

• Watch the expiry dates: Some professional products, particularly certain organic lines or specific chemical treatments, have a shelf life. Check these as you unpack your first delivery.
• Think about 'Add-ons': Don't forget the small consumables that are easy to overlook, such as neck strips, foil, and disposable capes, which fall under your professional stock needs.
• Storage and COSHH: As you receive your stock, ensure you have a cool, dry place to store it. Remember that your professional chemicals must be stored according to safety guidelines.
• Negotiate: If you are placing a significant initial order, don't be afraid to ask the supplier for 'added value,' such as free education sessions for you or your staff on how to use the products.

Avoiding 'Dead' Stock

One of the biggest mistakes new business owners make is over-investing in retail products that sit on the shelf gathering dust. This is 'dead money.' Start lean; you can always order more once you see what your clients are actually buying. Focus your initial budget on high-quality back bar products that will ensure your results are professional from day one.