Positive Retail is excited to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of our long-standing client Hennessy Hair & Beauty.
Hennessy Hair and Beauty is the leading supplier of professional hair and beauty products, equipment and furniture to Hair and Beauty Salons, Nail bars, Spas and Training Academies and Colleges in Ireland.
Positive Retail have been proud partners of Hennessy Hair & Beauty for nearly 15 years, and it’s been a pleasure to support their growth by onboarding them with Retail Management Hero (RMH). RMH has helped them streamline their operations and boost efficiency. As fellow members of Guaranteed Irish, we have a shared commitment to supporting local jobs and Irish businesses.
In a recent interview with the Hennessy team, we reflected on their 40-year journey, the role technology has played in their success, and how Retail Management Hero supports their sales and back-office operations.
Founded by Patrick “Paddy” Hennessy, who grew up in Cork in a family of entrepreneurs, Hennessy Hair & Beauty was born from his 16 years of experience in the hair industry with Wella, where he worked as a sales rep and regional manager. Spotting a gap in the market, Patrick launched a cash-and-carry service in Cork that would grow into the thriving business it is today.
What were some of the key milestones in Hennessy Hair & Beauty's journey?
1980s
Founded by Paddy and Kathleen Hennessy, the business began as a home-based cash & carry serving customers across Munster. After opening premises on Oliver Plunkett Street, they later moved to Pembroke Street, where on-site training helped the business grow and support customers.
2000s
In 2003, Hennessy Hair & Beauty opened its first warehouse in Wilton, Cork, creating a one-stop shop for customers. The business expanded its product range, moved into beauty, and grew its sales team to four reps delivering nationwide.
2010
The launch of the eCommerce website gave customers a new way to shop, with full stock visibility and next-day delivery. This digital shift also led to the creation of a dedicated marketing department, enhancing the overall customer experience.
2014
In 2014, Susan McCarthy, daughter of Paddy and Kathleen Hennessy, began to transition into the role of Managing Director. Susan’s great relationship with her staff and customers alike enables her to continue to provide the level of excellence within the hair and beauty sector that has been long established.
Together with her husband Brian McCarthy, they expanded the business nationally and secured Hennessy Hair & Beauty as the well-established “go to” cash and carry for all hair & beauty requirements. Both Susan and Brian continue to focus on customer support and loyalty as they drive the business forward.
2018
In 2018, the company expanded its warehouse to facilitate a better shopping experience and to deal with the growth in customer demands for its top-quality product range. The Hennessy family purchased Unit 27 to connect to Unit 28 in Doughcloyne Industrial Estate, which became the stock warehouse and dispatch area.
2020
Following this latest transition for the business, the COVID-19 Pandemic occurred, causing issues for many businesses. Hennessy helped its customers with the latest PPE so that its customers could provide their hair and beauty services when allowed safely to do so. Further, after the pandemic, Hennessy was able to get back to full business, seeing their customers walk in the doors of the cash and carry stores, putting smiles on their faces.
2023
To bring us up to date, 2023 saw the revamp of the cash and carry, which again improved the in-house shopping experience and enabled us to display and market brands more efficiently.
How do you balance honouring the legacy of the business while also embracing innovation and change to meet the needs of modern customers?
The needs and demands of customer will always influence the direction the company moves in. We always try to remember our key values but as a 2nd generation business, it is also very important to recognize change and adapt when needed.
How has technology played a role in shaping Hennessy Hair & Beauty over the past four decades?
Technology has transformed the company enormously over the past four decades. We went from selling products out of the back of a van to distributing nationwide. The investment in our website, POS and stock control system has greatly shaped how the company has grown and how the company operates.
Customers can order products via our website, through sales reps, over the phone or shop in our Doughcloyne and Pembroke street stores.
What specific features or functionalities of Retail Management Hero software have proven most beneficial for optimizing your business processes?
Some of the features of Retail Management Hero that we have found most beneficial for our processes within Hennessy Hair & Beauty include:
- Emailing invoices and statements.
- Provides live information.
- Inter store transfers.
- Stock control
What does it mean to Hennessy Hair & Beauty to be recognized as Guaranteed Irish?
We are delighted to be recognized as Guaranteed Irish. Hennessy is a proud Irish SME Hair and Beauty Wholesaler that supports local businesses across Ireland. We strive to support local jobs and businesses to continue our part in the Irish economy.
As you celebrate this significant milestone, what do you hope the next chapter holds for Hennessy, both in terms of preserving its legacy and embracing opportunities?
Our relationship with our customers is our number one priority. As they grow, we need to grow with them, so we can meet their needs. We hope to continue to expand the business and maybe venture into new areas. We’ll keep working hard to ensure the next generation have a solid foundation to grow from.
