Business survives the COVID test

Hair care retailer Price Attack is expanding. (Supplied)

Leading professional hair care retailer Price Attack Salons has targeted Melbourne and surrounding suburbs for expansion, setting a goal to open five stores this year.

Tanya Kanaris, Price Attack Salons’ network development manager, has already identified key sites and is now on the hunt for an entrepreneur wanting to COVID-pivot and be their own boss, offering incentives and special deals.

The hair care sector is valued at $500 million a year and continues to grow three per cent year on year. Price Attack Salons is ranked third largest in the hair care industry.

As reported by commercialrealestate.com, interest in buying a business in 2020 had exceeded the number of businesses for sale, as buyers looked to secure future employment amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Kanaris says Price Attack’s brand resilience came from being both a service provider and a retailer, with storesacross Australia reporting strong and increased figures even during the toughest of
lockdowns.

“We have already identified a number of sites for a new store – so anyone with a love of hairdressing, customer service and the desire to be their own boss can apply and create their own destiny, quite possibly in their same suburb,” she says.

“Our new focus on network expansion has already brought about a big increase in franchise applications in other states and now we are focused on Victoria. Maybe our new store owner is already in another franchise and wants to diversify.

“Price Attack Salon owners don’t have to be hairdressers or come from the beauty industry. Our franchisees range from husband-and-wife teams to investors who have a passion for creating a great customer service experience with professional products and expert advice: they come from all walks of life.”

“Anyone made redundant can have confidence in the franchise sector; it continues to be resilient and, if managed and supported correctly, a strong success model. As for how much money can be made and what costs to expect, these are dependent on store size and location, but we’re determined to meet the market with incentives.”

Jodie Hackett bought her northern New South Wales business mid-COVID 2020 and has already seen such unprecedented figures; she plans on opening a second store.

“The duality of the business is key to its success,” Ms Hackett says. “If that marriage of retail and service can hold up during a crisis, it says something. In lockdown, the retail side boomed with people buying DIY. When lockdown ended, people craved a treatment, not to mention a new ‘Zoom-look’. You cannot get a haircut on the internet.”

To find out more about a Price Attack franchise, visit www.priceattack.com.au/own-a-franchise