SEASONALRETAIL

The Ultimate Christmas Wish List

Create a magical nail experience this festive season & gift yourself revenue opportunities with HELENA BIGGS’ guide to retailing & making appointments extra memorable

The festive season is one of the busiest times of year for the nail sector, with brands sprinkling sparkling shades onto social media feeds and clients frantically trying to squeeze in appointments amongst parties and events. But beyond the glitter, glamour and gift shopping, the Christmas period is the perfect time to make appointments feel extra special.

From twinkling decorations and seasonal sips to thoughtful gifts and decorative displays, small touches can transform regular appointments into memorable and meaningful experiences. Creating a welcoming atmosphere helps clients feel appreciated and gives them another reason to return – even after the decorations have been packed away.

For your business, it’s a time to pull in additional profit. Capitalise on clients’ gift-buying mindsets, while making them feel valued. Whether for themselves or their loved ones, Christmas presents opportunities to showcase retail products, upsell services and attract new clients to your nail environment. Are you ready to sleigh the season? Note handy pointers to keep clients smiling and your tills jingling…

Deck the walls

Get clients in the Christmas spirit by decorating your nail space from late November. Twinkling lights, Santa hats, tinsel and festive foliage can encourage them to start thinking about their seasonal nail styles – as well as their Christmas shopping, so fashion up your retail area to draw attention to your offerings.

OHS Merry Christmas Light Up Sign £16 inc VAT www.onlinehomestore.com

If you have a salon window or display to decorate, spotlight gift sets and highlight nail art designs to attract prospective clients. Choose decorations that complement your business’ style for a polished, Instagram-worthy look that encourages photos. What’s more, use decorations as backdrops for clients to photograph their finished nail designs. Encourage them to tag your business on social media, helping to showcase your seasonal work and spread the word about your services.

Large Burgundy Velvet Bow £18.50 inc VAT www.oliverbonas.com

Merry Christmas Banner £24 inc VAT www.cambridgeimprint.co.uk

TK Maxx Maximalist Multi-Coloured Brights Christmas Wreath £19.99 inc VAT www.tkmaxx.com

Appeal to the senses

Scent is an incredibly powerful sense. When we smell something pleasant, such as freshly baked bread, cinnamon or citrus, our mood is enhanced and we desire more. Utilise this power to drive sales this season and create a comforting experience for clients. According to the team at ScentAir, which specialises in scent marketing for business and home spaces, you should use aromas strategically ‘to create emotional connections, influence mood and ultimately impact buying decisions’.

A post on the company’s website reveals: “A familiar or pleasing aroma can trigger positive emotions, making customers feel more comfortable, happy and willing to spend. Scent marketing is more than just making a space smell nice. It’s about creating an atmosphere that resonates emotionally, subtly guiding customers to feel better, linger longer and ultimately buy more.’ Appeal to the senses with oils, lotions and scrubs in seasonal fragrances, plus diffusers and candles – but remember to place them a safe distance from hazardous materials!

Oliver Bonas Clementine & Cinnamon Scented Christmas Candle £18.50 inc VAT www.oliverbonas.com

Halo Citrus Crush Cuticle Oil (15ml) £4.95 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk

Argos Home The Night Before Christmas Gingerbread Diffuser £10 inc VAT www.argos.co.uk

Don’t forget the Christmas playlist!

Whether your client is a Mariah Carey fan or has a penchant for Michael Bublé, enhance the festive mood with a playlist of Christmas songs. For clients who prefer a quieter appointment or don’t celebrate Christmas, offer a calm alternative. Festive doesn’t have to mean Noddy Holder at full volume!

Create a nail art countdown

Plan now to create a Christmas nail art countdown on social media, to showcase your seasonal offerings. Simply post a themed nail art design on your accounts daily from 1 December, and detail the price and appointment duration to encourage bookings for each style. This also helps prevent deliberations over designs when clients arrive at their appointments, and saves delays during the busy spell.

Create your nail art styles on tips to make the decision-making process easier for clients, and switch out when the new season begins and trends change. Place in your reception area or at the nail desk mid-November so clients can start contemplating their Christmas nail art looks.

Halo VIP, Holly Rodgers of Hr Beauty in Lincolnshire, shared her 2025 festive nail art offerings on tips – placing the display in her nail space and posting on social media.

Light Elegance Color Mother Swatch Book £54.95 + VAT www.lightelegance.co.uk

The GelBottle Inc 50 SwatchPro™ Sticks – Unpainted £12.49 inc VAT www.thegelbottle.com

‘‘ Small touches can transform regular appointments into memorable and meaningful experiences. ‘‘

Save the date

Christmas Jumper Day

10 December 2026

The UK’s annual Christmas Jumper Day is a fun event that encourages people to wear a festive or silly Christmas jumper to work or school and donate to Save The Children. The charity helps make sure children are fed, learning and treated fairly, so join the fundraising efforts by encouraging colleagues and clients to sport festive attire, and donate £1-2from each treatment on the day. Learn more at savethechildren.org.uk

Sleigh those sales

Are you ready to unwrap the potential of festive retail? From stocking fillers to gorgeous gift sets, source options to suit all budgets, and attract interest by dressing retail displays with ribbons, baubles and festive packaging. The goal is to make it easy for clients to tick presents off their Christmas lists, while supporting your business revenue.

Larissa Hodgins

“Don’t rely on clients noticing products when they’re in the salon,” advises Larissa Hodgins, people program manager at salon software company, Phorest. “Mention Christmas retail early across email, SMS and social media, and make sure anything available online is easy to find. A ‘12 Days of Christmas’ campaign can work well, highlighting a different product, gift set or offer each day. Rather than discounts, add value with extra loyalty points or a product sample. And don’t forget gift vouchers, especially for those last-minute Christmas shoppers!”

Konstantina Paschalidou

Image courtesy of LinkedIn.com

“Beauty sets make gifting simple, while offering customers great value with generous savings,” adds Konstantina Paschalidou, marketing executive at Mii Cosmetics. “Beautifully packaged and easy to merchandise, they look eye-catching in a festive display and provide a ready-to-go gift that feels special. For salons, they’re an effortless way to drive Christmas retail sales and introduce customers to new products.”

Amirah Ibrahim

So, where should you display your retail goodies? “Make the most of high-traffic areas, particularly around the reception desk and till point,” suggests Amirah Ibrahim, marketing executive at Studex UK. “Salon clients naturally spend a few moments here before and after appointments, so they are perfect places to showcase retail items. Thoughtfully positioned displays can encourage last-minute impulse purchases that often add significant value to retail sales.”

OPI x M&M’s 4pc Mini Nail Lacquer Set £16.25 + VAT/RRP £19.95 uk.wella.professionalstore.com

Two OPIcons and two M&M’S holiday exclusive nail shades feature in this boldly packaged gift set: Bubble Bath, Big Apple Red, Deck the Shells and OPI Want Them All.

Famous Names Glaze Peptide Lip Treatment £9.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

For clients ready to pucker up under the mistletoe, retail this peptide-packed, three-in-one gloss, balm and treatment. The product offers a slight plump and has a pink tint and high shine.

Homesense Gift Bags Set £4.99 inc VAT www.homesense.comwww.tkmaxx.com

Studex Sensitive Carded Display Stand - 108 Earrings £389 + VAT www.studexuk.com

This display offers an elegant way to showcase Studex’s Sensitive Earrings range – including Cubic Zirconia and fashion styles. The rotating stand features 36 (three of each) different designs crafted from 24ct gold-plated and stainless steel, which are suitable for sensitive ears. With styles to suit every preference, the earrings make the perfect festive gift, thoughtful stocking filler or seasonal self-treat.

Mii Care + Condition Intensive Hand & Cuticle Treatment Set £14 + VAT/RRP £30 www.miicosmetics.com

This trio set is designed for the targeted care of hands and cuticles: a perfect gift to soothe skin during a cold snap. It contains Nourish + Nurture Nail and Cuticle Oil, Refine + Pamper Intensive Cuticle Cream and Care + Caress Hand Serum.

The KB Pen (including one cartridge) £95 inc VAT www.karenbetts.com

This refillable cosmetic pencil can be used on the eyes, lips and brows. There are nine hardware combinations and 19 shades available, and the formula is richly pigmented with a smooth, velvety glide. Packaging is crafted from stainless steel and finished in three jewellery-inspired coatings, making this an ideal gift with a luxury feel.

Glitterbels Shimmer Drops Cuticle Oil Salon Pack (18pc)£35.99 inc VAT/ RRP £4-5 each www.glitterbels.com

Who doesn’t love a touch of sparkle at Christmas? This pack features 18 limited edition Shimmer Drops Cuticle Oils that are perfect stocking fillers.

OPI x M&M’s 12 Day Mini Nail Lacquer Advent Calendar £30 + VAT/RRP £49.99 uk.wella.professionalstore.com

This limited edition advent calendar is loaded with the OPI x M&M’s Holiday Collection in 12 mini Nail Lacquer bottles: a sweet treat for clients to enjoy.

Nimue Advent Calendar Bundle (4pk) £239.80 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

An ideal item for your clients to gift themselves or a loved one, the Nimue Festive Advent Calendar features skincare products valued at over £470, including a full-size Radiance Serum and Plump and Firm Contour Gel. This bundle features four advent calendars for you to retail at a price you desire, plus a salon marketing strut card.

Disney Stitch Bath, Body & Beauty Advent Calendar £24.95 inc VAT www.madbeauty.com

Move over chocolate calendars – it’s time for clients to indulge their loved ones or themselves with 24 days of beauty treats, from foot lotion to bath salts, nail files, clay masks and lip balms.

Hydro Peptide Instant Glow Holiday Ornament POA/RRP £40 www.hydropeptide.co.uk

This serum combines vitamin C with 1% tranexamic acid and 5% niacinamide to visibly target skin discoloration, dullness and uneven texture. Packaged in a festive box, the serum also supports hydration, firmer-looking skin and antioxidant defence for a brighter, more radiant complexion.

Offer festive treats

Treat clients to hot chocolate, flavoured tea or seasonal coffee with a biscuit or mince pie while they enjoy their appointments. Hospitality can make a regular treatment feel like a special occasion – but check dietary requirements before you serve. You don’t need to obtain a food hygiene certificate or register as a food business if you offer a complimentary snack, as these are classed as low-risk, pre-packaged foods. However, you must comply with basic food safety regulations.

While it’s great to get into the spirit of the season, hair, nail and beauty salon owners in England and Wales must note that authorisation is needed to serve alcohol to clients, under the Licensing Act 2003. This rule applies even if the mulled wine, prosecco or beer is free or bundled into the price of a treatment. If you wish to serve alcohol, you can apply for a Premises Licence via your local authority and submit a schedule to show that alcohol is secondary to salon services. The cost of this is £100-£635, depending on the band classification of your business.

If you only wish to serve alcohol at occasional events, such as a Christmas client evening, you can file a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) instead of a full Premises Licence. A TEN typically takes a few days to be approved, while a Premises Licence can take up to 12 weeks.

B&M Christmas Cookies 59p inc VAT each www.bmstores.com

The gift of giving

Whether you present your clients with a treat or they buy an item or voucher from you for a loved one, the spirit of the season encourages gifting. “Selling gift vouchers or cards is a great way to keep clients coming back after the holiday season, and to ensure your appointment book stays full,” shares Liz McKeon, beauty business expert & coach. “Gift vouchers can prompt multiple appointments because they have already been paid for.

Liz McKeon

“Place these around the salon, so that clients are aware of their availability, and send an email newsletter to your database to highlight their benefits. A 10-day lead time before the Christmas rush is a good starting point to help clients think about giving your vouchers as presents.”

Liz continues: “Invest in some eye-catching envelopes, decorative ribbon or small boxes for gift vouchers, and offer the giver a small token of appreciation – such as a free product, coupon for a future service for themselves, or salon voucher with a smaller amount already loaded onto it. Incentives to purchase a gift voucher can boost retail sales and encourage more clients to turn to you, instead of a competitor.”

Consider gifting a mini cuticle oil to each client throughout the festive period – particularly those that purchase vouchers from you. This personal touch shows clients you care and value their custom.

CND SolarOil™ Pinkies (40pk) £52.95 + VAT/RRP £3.95 each www.sweetsquared.com