I would first understand and look into your client base and ask yourself two questions: Who are my clients? Why do I want to add clothing to my salon? Once you arrive at the answers to these two questions you will know if you need a fitting room or not.
Adding a fitting room helps to drive sales and gives you an opportunity to engage in a conversation with your client.
However, here are some inexpensive ways to test-drive clothing sales in your salon:
> Create a fitting room without walls. Although not as comfortable and secure for women to try clothing on in, it will give you an idea for if the investment in inventory and fitting room construction will be worth it.
> One idea to do this is to add a rail to the ceiling and hang a custom-made heavy curtain (velvet-like) to feel lux.
> Or start with letting people try on clothing in your salon restroom. It is the most inexpensive way (again it will depend on your clientele base and what they are looking for).
Retail is a great way to increase revenue, but you need to ensure you have the capital to sustain inventory and have a person designated to organize, buy, and help clients to try items on. Good luck!
— Juju Rodrigues is co-owner of Be Beauty, a boutique salon in San Diego with an extensive retail area.