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Lust as supermarkets have gone retail crazy, selling everything from tequila to televisions and wholesalers are following suit'

Perhaps the best thing about virtual design is that you are able to see what your salon will look like in contrasting colours, or with different furniture - all at the click of a button. "Our system includes a library of graphics representing styling units, chairs, backwashes, reception desks, nail bars, and even clients," explains Mike.

For salons located in the Wirral area, the good news is that Salons Direct has just opened a new training room at its Birkenhead superstore. Courses on offer include advanced hair colouring, extensions, airbrush tanning and Indian head massage, which will be run by reputable manufacturers such as Goldwell Professional Haircare, Wella and Balmain Hair Extensions.

Alternatively, if you're a regular visitor to Sally Hair & Beauty, did you know it also runs extensive in-salon training? Not only does it stock a wide range of international brands, such as Farouk and Rusk, but clients can also take advantage of its in-store training facilities.

However, wholesalers are not just the place to invest in training and interior design. They are also the perfect location to pick up information on forthcoming industry events, shows and trade associations. For example, Salon Exhibitions has linked up with Sally stores throughout the country, which will be selling Salon International tickets to its clients. "It's a fantastic opportunity for Sally to add this to its services, while encouraging more people to visit the show," explains John Poston, vice president of international operations for Sally Hair & Beauty.

Moving away from traditional wholesalers, one of the newest showrooms to open in Europe is something completely new for salons interested in the extensions market. American Dream has opened a 2,500sq ft London showroom this month, which is filled with hair extensions, hairpieces, wigs, tools and accessories, making it a haven for any salon wanting to embark on this area of the market.

So if you haven't been to your local wholesaler for some time, it might be worth a visit. You'll find sleek and sophisticated showrooms combined with bargains galore, and of course, there's the training and design element too. Wholesalers provide a service that's specifically focused around the professional hairdressers needs, so what are you waiting for?