Sports and haircuts: a championship combo

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.

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.”

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.