Imagine a lovely hotel in South Beach; swaying palm trees, a lovely sun-warmed breeze and a relaxing massage in the afternoon. The Swedish massage is fantastic and the therapist could not be more delightful. Add to this perfect equation, a spa facility replete with amenities designed to relax and delight any travel spa client.

Unfortunately this beautiful experience ends abruptly, with a frustrating shower test of the spa’s private label products. It manages to instantly end the bliss. The skin feels tight, hair is an uncontrolled rat's nest and the perfect moment is broken. It turns an ideal spa experience into a real downer and gives the client pause to recommend the hotel spa to local friends and family. All the warm fuzzy feelings wash down the drain with mediocre products and the client is now left with a film of disappointment. It can blemish the entire spa experience.

It doesn’t have to be that way. The good news is that there are wonderful private label product companies that use quality ingredients to meet your spa needs and increase revenue. The trick is to find the one that works for you.

1. Be willing to use the products yourself, on a regular basis. This doesn’t mean the spa products in the shower area have to be from the line used during treatments but as a spa owner you still need to stand behind the products. A client’s ability to test the product leads to an increase in purchases so make sure it is up to your personal standards.
2. If a product company promises the stars, moon and sun, chances are they will fall short. Stick with the straight shooter, your private label company will be a partner and their objective should be to develop quality products to keep you happy long term. Empty promises will lead to disappointing product sales in the spa so follow your gut.
3. Remember, it has your spa name on the bottle. Your marketing plan should include a strategic vision for the products your spa carries; private label spa products are an extension of your spa’s brand. Clients that purchase your products will be taking them home, and each time they are used it will remind them of your spa.
4. Word-of-mouth is a good start. It is worthwhile to do the research, talk to other spas, and find a vendor that will work hard to meet your spa’s needs. It will make all the difference to your clients and it will improve your spa brand.

No one wants private-label letdown. Spas work diligently to help clients live more meaningful, happy lives; it is the power of spa in action. Remember, the spa experience does not end until that completely satisfied client leaves the spa ready for the next occasion. It will make the full hotel elevator ride truly blissful.

 

1 Response...

1. Janet says:

   February 4, 2010 at 4:11 pm

   Very good point! There is a well known spa in Denver using their own private label stuff and it is bad… cheap… wish they would have researched things better. The staff makes no attempt to sell it either because it does not do anything. You can't fool the public with these fancy labels and bottles. What is inside has got to have as high a standard as your marble front desk! If not, it is a disconnected experience that leaves a client questioning other things at the spa… perceiving other things as lower quality than what they thought.