The Grooming Lounge Blog

So how is business going in this economy?  If Grooming Lounge, or any other smaller-sized business had $20 for every time this query was posed, these businesses wouldn’t have any financial worries. Alas, we don’t get any cash for these questions and are unfortunately forced to stick to solid basic business principles to keep things humming along.

So how is Grooming Lounge doing these days?  The nutshell answer is “pretty well.”  While our store business is kinda’ flat when compared to ‘08, many would view that as a victory with all that’s happening in the world. Heck, if the automakers were flat, our DC neighbor Mr. Obama wouldn’t be lending them 10 times the GNP of Sri Lanka. What we do see in our stores is that men know the quality that comes along with a Grooming Lounge service.  Whether it’s a haircut, manicure or facial, our regulars remain so because we are constantly trying to improve and not taking their business for granted. The men who come in every day are our bread and butter and our focus is always on WOW-ing them, rather than coveting guests we don’t yet have.  But, where we are possibly not seeing growth is in the gifting realm.  We certainly hope things will turn around, but as with all retail businesses, people are tightening up a bit when it comes to purchasing gifts, especially the more expensive types. We hope this loosens up before Father’s Day.

Where our business is seeing substantial growth is on the internet and via our award-winning catalog.  In conversations with other “bricks and clicks” outfits (people with both an online and physical retail presence), this seems to be a common theme. To be honest, we’re not sure why, but by the same token, who would question growth?  Part of our growth stems from enhanced features to our site and the addition of several new in-demand product lines. With that said and as stated above in regard to the stores, our core growth module has been our loyal and long-time customers. While new business is gravy (we’ll treat you right too), over-delivering for these folks (hope you’re one of them) is the focus of our online business.  The nutshell is that taking care of “what we’ve got” will help this online segment continue to flourish.

So what does this worldwide downturn mean for growth plans for the Grooming Lounge?  Well, it probably doesn’t mean more stores at the moment as banks aren’t lining up to finance such.  However, you can bet your ass on enhanced services and service in our stores, an improved online experience and a knock-you-over 2009/10 catalog coming down the line.

We’re an open book and hope you enjoyed reading about our business.  Good things to come.  And by the way, got $20 we can borrow?