Hennessy Hair and Beauty
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.
Key milestones in the Hennessy Hair & Beauty journey
Founded by Paddy and Kathleen Hennessy, the business began as a small cash and carry serving customers across Munster before growing into one of Ireland’s leading hair and beauty suppliers. Early success was built on strong customer relationships and hands on service.
In the early 2000s, the business expanded into a dedicated warehouse in Cork, broadening its product range and establishing nationwide distribution. A key milestone followed with the launch of its eCommerce platform in 2010, bringing online ordering, real time stock visibility, and next day delivery.
In 2014, leadership transitioned to the next generation, with Susan McCarthy and Brian McCarthy helping to drive continued national growth while maintaining the company’s core values and customer focus.
Further investment in warehousing and store infrastructure supported ongoing expansion, while the business also adapted during the COVID 19 period by supplying essential PPE to customers before returning to full trading.
More recently, improvements to the cash and carry experience have enhanced in store operations and customer experience.
Across its journey, Hennessy Hair & Beauty has balanced heritage with innovation, with technology playing a key role in its growth from a local cash and carry to a nationwide supplier.
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.
