GROOMING: International grooming brands to expand operations as young India dresses up.
Hairstyling is in vogue. Indians, young and old, want their hair to be a personal statement. When Jean-Claude Biguine, the French chain of hairstylists, set up shop in Mumbai six months ago, nobody imagined the rush of customers visible today. Hundreds of women can be seen walking in and out of its salon every week.
Encouraged by this, the chain will open new salons in Delhi and Bangalore, besides another one in Mumbai. Jean-Claude Biguine plans to invest Rs 100 crore in India to set up 50 salons by 2010. On its crosshairs five-star hotels.
Dharmendra Manwani, director, Mumbai salon, said: “The Indian personal care industry, estimated at Rs 17,000 crore, is clearly an extremely lucrative market for international grooming brands.”
He added: “We are looking at all possibilities to acquire retail space in five-star hotels and business tie-ups.”
Indian salon or hairdressing industry is the latest to catch the fancy of the world. According to industry estimates, the beauty services segment (largely unorganised) is over Rs 2,500 crore and is growing at around 20 per cent annually.
With emergence of players such as Marico’s Kaya Skin Clinic, Lakme Beauty Salon, Vandana Lutra’s VLCC, Shahnaz Husain Herbals, CavinCare’s Limelite and Green Trends, Keune and Jawed Habib Hair & Beauty, domestic beauty services industry is starting to get more streamlined too.
Earlier this year, British hairstylist and trainer Toni & Guy began operating in India, followed by French haircare guru Paul Mitchell. The Mitchell group set up online shops to sell its products. Toni & Guy already has outlets in New Delhi and Mumbai and plans outlets in Bangalore and Kolkata too.The firm also plans to open four hairdressing academies in the country to help youngsters take up hairstyling as a career option.
The target clientele for these hair salons are women from households with an annual income of Rs 5 lakh and above. Estimates as to the number of such households varies, but it is generally agreed that the figure runs into millions.
A trip to these salons can be expensive. Hair treatment that can be wrapped up for Rs 200-250 in the corner shop can cost upwards of Rs 1,500 in these. But the well-heeled don’t seem to mind.
Tejaswita Sawant, a Mumbai-based professional and a patron, Jean-Claude Beguine, says: “I don’t mind paying Rs 1,700 for a hairstyle that I will sport for almost a month or longer. A great hair style speaks volumes about my personality.”
Michel Claire, director (international professional development), L’Oreal, says: “A number of trends are driving the hair-grooming sector including the age-resistance of the baby boomers and the trend towards hair as part of an overall fashion statement.”
While baby boomers maybe flocking to salons for a youthful appearance, the young generation has started to flaunt hair as its fashion statement too, he observes. The cosmetics major recorded a turnover of Rs 600 crore and a growth of nearly 40 per cent in India last year.
L’Oreal Colour Trophy, an annual event for talented hairstylists to show their individuality and creativity, has already completed three years here and its organisers can’t stop from gushing about India.
Smira Bakshi, who introduced L’Oréal Professionals as well as L’Oréal Professional Colour Trophy in India, says: “We have tailor-made services for Indian hair types and assist customers in various hair care delivery systems such as hair-gel strips, highlighting tabs and also have included natural and organic ingredients in our products.”
More is in the pipeline. ‘Pamper-birthday’ parties for young children, involving make-up, hair styling and manicures, have become commonplace in the UK, but out of this has come the demand for individual treatments, with parental consent.
While India does not have too many children walking into salons yet, Claire forecasts: “Get ready for the sight of a little girl next to their mom’s at a hair stylist bringing pictures of hair-dos they want to sport.”
