Sports and haircuts: a championship combo

Jul 26, 2022 | 6:00 AM

In a market that is crowded with competitors, one franchise is starting to cut a swath through the hair- cutting business.

U.S.-founded Sports Clips Haircuts now has nearly 1,600 American franchises and is just over 30 in Canada, including two in the Okanagan, owned by local businessman Kevin Kemp.

Kemp owns a franchise on Anderson Way, next to Starbucks and another store in Kelowna.

The concept combines the elements of a sports bar with a traditional barber shop.

Big screen TV’s stationed throughout the businesses have the latest game on and the décor is sports lockers and posters.

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Sports Clips lobby (Vernon Matters Photo)

“It is a chance for men and boys to come have a mini spa day and take some sports in while they do it.” Kemp told Vernon Matters. “The little things are being appreciated a lot more after COVID lockdowns.”

Sports Clips franchise owner Kevin Kemp

Like other small businesses, there is a reliance on a steady labour supply, which has been a challenge for the business.

“Coming out of COVID, the labour market is very tight. I think everyone in retail is facing this and I think we have lost some stylists in the industry too,” Kemp noted. “We have a great team here, but we are competing for a finite number of hairstylists.”

While the business provides haircuts, it also takes things to the next level with a hot towel face treatment and hair wash, aptly called an M.V.P., followed by a shoulder massage.

The company has perfected its digital re-marketing, invite a friend, birthday haircuts and ongoing email marketing to existing clientele.

by Kevin Rothwell

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