What I'm wondering is if this model would work for other things besides hair, where the retail outlet is constrained on the ability to hold inventory. Maybe mechanics shops?
I know someone who runs an auto parts store -- their primary business is selling to mechanics. They have delivery trucks that are out all day dropping off parts to the local mechanics that called in saying "I need an alternator for a 99 Civic." So the auto parts store is effectively serving as the "warehouse" from which the shops buy their inventory as needed.