The Kao Salon Division has announced a Recovery Initiative. Kao’s Salon brands — Goldwell, KMS and Oribe — will help salons recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 crisis. (Photo above, far right, via Instagram/GoldwellUS)

The initiative is designed to address the unique challenges facing the industry and its professionals as they look to reopen. Programs will provide industry professionals with localized resources to ensure their businesses are not only restored, but thriving in the months ahead.

Cory Couts, global president, Kao Salon Division, says, “We know the needs and concerns of the salon community are very specific. That’s why we designed this initiative to not only to commit global resources, but local, real solutions for their recovery.” 

In North America, the Kao Salon Division has assembled a package valued at $5.6 million dollars focused on the tools salons will need to reopen and grow in the months ahead.

These tools include financial donations to charities that serve salons, stylists and the communities in which we live and work; enhanced back bar support for salons; product samples to stimulate retail sales; technical and business education; and turnkey marketing initiatives and social media support for salon reopenings and beyond. 

Kao has also established the Oribe.com Salon Commission Program, available for Oribe salons to enroll and earn commission on any orders placed by their customers in the U.S. 

#StrongerTogether

The Kao Salon Industry Recovery Initiative includes the #StrongerTogether initiative. Through this program, Kao Salon has committed to suspend invoices, sponsor free-to-industry opportunities, provide tangible support for both stylists and their salons, and donate product to charitable organizations.

Kao is also creating a sponsored consumer digital campaign to inspire a “#WorthTheWait” movement — and more.

#CreativityNeverStops

Creativity is the lifeblood of the industry, Kao says — so the #CreativityNeverStops initiative will allow stylists to nurture and hone their skills via access to digital and online education programs.

Kao has also announced that the annual Goldwell Creative Awards will be an entirely virtual experience.

 #KaoSalonFamily

Another facet of the recovery program is the #KaoSalonFamily initiative, designed to deliver hyper-relevant messages of hope and positivity through the Kao Salon network, as well as 
provide a way for stylists and salons to communicate and ask questions.

Couts adds, “We believe in the power of the collective and know that by meeting this incredibly powerful community where they are, and joining them on their journey, together we will grow, rise and create the future.”

$1 Million in Product Donations

The Kao Salon Industry Recovery Initiative includes $1 million in product donations in North America. 

Kao brands will donate soap, gloves, body wash, dry shampoos and other personal care products to charitable organizations and medical facilities in major metro areas that have been deeply affected by COVID-19. These areas include NYC, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

Scott Guinter, general manager of Kao Salon Division U.S., comments, “The activities Kao has planned in the U.S. are consistent with our ongoing philosophy of partnering with our salons to help them grow by giving them the tools they need to succeed.”

Guinter adds, “We stand united with our salons and are committed to supporting them throughout this current crisis and the recovery.”

Read More

Aveda Helps Salons Recover with Multimillion-Dollar Relief Program