Adapting to the New Normal: Salon Industry Keeps Hopes High
The salon industry took a major hit as the pandemic kept it in lockdown for months. Now, as the unlock progresses, businesses are heading into a new era with new rules and survival strategies. Beauty Launchpad reached out to a few salon owners to know more about how they plan to gear up for reopening post-lockdown and how the industry dynamics could change during these unprecedented times.
Nitin Kalwani
Managing Director – Juice Salons, Mumbai
“Apart from hygiene and safety measures, post-COVID salon business model demands a re-look at permanent services like laser hair removal, hair smoothening services, etc that allows less frequent visits to the salon. The salon industry will have to find a new equilibrium between products and services. A closer partnership between all stakeholders like customers, vendors, and landlords, will ensure the revival of the industry.”
Karan Deol
Founder – Elora Salons, Chandigarh
“Mostly, hair reset services like basic haircuts, grey coverage, tone down or colour refresh on length & ends (are in demand). During the lockdown, many people experimented with their own hair — so, now they are getting back to the salons to get their at-home cut and colour fixed. We are assuming these conditions will remain till the year-end as no big events, shows, weddings or travel is happening. People are avoiding services like full-head highlights, balayage or straightening/smoothening. Overall work is slow but it will be steady after some
time, as safety is the bigger concern for everyone.”
Malika Pirani
Founder – Vanilla Salons, Mumbai
“We are planning to open up in a slow and steady manner. Also, a lot of guidelines will be followed by the employees as well as the customers. We will be taking clients only on a prior appointment basis and all notices will be put up at the salon for precautionary steps that needed to be taken on the customers’ end.”
Swati Gupta
Director – BodyCraft Spa & Salon, Bangalore
“India is a country that is known for its resilience, and there is no doubt in our ability to bounce back. We are seeing a demand in essential services like haircuts (for both men & women), hair colour, hair spa, manicure, pedicure, waxing & nail services. Facial & Spa services are still actively taken, although the demand for the same is not as much, at the moment. Either way, we have ensured all our therapists are prepared & armed with the necessary knowledge & certifications in order to maintain the highest level of safety. All our therapists are Dermalogica Clean Touch certified. We have also absorbed the protocols laid out by our associate skincare brands into our SOPs.”