Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1545716
78 ASCP Skin Deep Summer 2026 Backbar inventory should be reviewed to make sure it isn't being overstocked with the wrong (or wrong-sized) product. While you want to be able to treat any skin condition that comes into your spa, if the overall number of services being done is minimal that indicates that smaller backbar sizes should be used. Even if a small size is more expensive at-cost for you, the probability of a larger size becoming expired and wasted may not make it profitable to purchase. Innovation and "New and Improved" Formulas New formulas are exciting, and social media helps keep clients savvy on the latest and greatest. While you want to and should keep ahead of your competition so your clients feel you are on the cutting edge of technology, you don't want to discard backbar inventory you already invested in. This is why it's important to regularly meet with your brand representative(s) to find out what changes will be happening soon; you can then prepare and anticipate what needs to be done with current product. SYSTEMS, CONTROLS, AND THEFT PREVENTION If you have employees or coworkers, there should be checks and balances on the person responsible for ordering backbar. Giving free rein on backbar ordering is like giving someone open access to your checking account. If someone is spending your money, there should be some type of oversight for what is being done. Perhaps setting a maximum amount to be spent per month would cap overspending. To encourage the person in charge of backbar ordering to be conscious of what they are purchasing, you could create an incentive. Any amount of their budget per month that is not used could be put into a fund for an employee party as a reward for being more aware of what is spent. Then you are celebrating exceptional budget management as a team. You are probably aware and concerned about shrinkage of product on the retail shelves, but what about the same situation with professional backbar product? Most product loss is not malicious; it could just be due to lack of monitoring. Since there are no retail prices associated with backbar products, some skin care professionals might think there must not be much value to it. Regular walk-through of the service area and review of inventory should prevent that type of shrinkage. Next up: Have you heard of the hidden closet stash? I have seen this situation numerous times. A brand changes ownership or philosophy and might no longer offer the support and education that your business expects and needs to be successful. You research and discover another brand that would be more beneficial to your spa operation, so you purchase and restock the retail and professional product and the old brand is put into a storage closet. Years later, you are still trying to figure out what to do with that old product. I once took a tour of a spa that wanted to carry the brand I was representing, and the owner opened three closets in a row, each filled to the max with inventory from three major lines she used to carry. There were thousands of dollars tied up in wasted product. Once a plan was put in place to turn that product into cash, those dollars were used to invest in tools to help the spa to be more profitable. TURNING BACKBAR INTO A GROWTH TOOL Monthly promotions drive sales and work in tandem with your backbar. With some focus and planning, you can turn your backbar into more of a profit center. Connecting backbar inventory to promotions is another way to control the usage, prevent waste from expiration, and become more profitable. Every month lends itself to a possible holiday or seasonal promotion. For example, if you have chemical