SALONS AND SPAS ON A SHINING TRAIL

Life, as we know it, has suddenly become as demanding as it can be and the daily hustle has only brought us a world of exhausted beings that are connected 24x7, looking for small escapes to shut off from external stimulations. And what can offer better rejuvenation than a salon and spa visit? Modern-day spas and salons cater to a range of health-promoting experiences. This emerging need to switch off and relax, recharge, reflect, detox and beautify has given a new high to the overall salon and spa industry. Spas need to position themselves as oases of unplugged human connection.

Some of the retail trends in the salon and spa industry are:

Male Participation

Today, consumers are spending heavily on their appearance and this does not only constitute women population but also men who have become more active. This has ultimately resulted in lot of men-centric skincare and grooming brands in the market. According to a report by trade organisation ASSOCHAM, the male grooming industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 45% to touch Rs 35,000 crore in the next three years due to rising aspiration among men to look better and rapid urbanisation.

Spa Vacations

Today, millennials prefer spa vacations that relax and rejuvenate their body over an exhaustive one. Spa parties are big too—many bachelorettes don’t want to go drinking; rather they want to relax at a spa vacation. Kairali Ayurvedic Group sensed this trend way back and offers a wholesome ayurvedic way of life to its guests. Says Abhilash K Ramesh: “In 1999, we developed Kairali – The Ayurvedic Healing Village in Palakkad, Kerala. The guests here experience the ayurvedic way of living as the food served is complete vegetarian, grown in our organic garden, with abstinence of alcohol and smoking. We have received a phenomenal response from our guests the world over.”

The Organic Way

There has also been a growing awareness regarding the benefits of organic products. Anand Singh, Franchise Owner, Affinity Express (Ghaziabad), says, “Interest in natural beauty and personal care ingredients is on the rise and natural product trends paired with a strong association between diet and skin is driving the emergence of food-based and probiotic facial skin care.”

Luxurious Escapades

In the luxury segment, the role of the spa has been elevated to a position of being an expected amenity. More often, the motivation for guests checking in at resorts comes from the desire of enjoying a luxurious spa experience. And these resorts have left no stones unturned into offering more and more luxuries than the mind would imagine. While Anand Singh describes this luxury in terms of being more hygiene-oriented, Ramesh asserts, “Salon and spa is not a luxury anymore but has become more of a necessity. The differentiation is only the class of salon or spa that offers services; some salons offer more luxury that is focused for premium consumers and some are affordable for middle-class or upper middle-class consumers.”

Geographical Spread

The southern part of India, especially Kerala, is the undisputed haven of spa resorts offering ayurvedic treatments, rejuvenating therapies and such umbrella packages. But the last few years have witnessed a shift of focus of great spa providers to other parts of the country as well. As Ramesh informs, “As Kerala is known as the birthplace of ayurveda, the spa industry here has an edge over the other regions of India. However, with time, spa treatments across the rest of India are adopting a similar concept of ayurveda and natural therapies as well.”

Home Services

In a bid to look and feel good, consumers continue to indulge in the services of salons and spas while supplementing these with ‘at home’ beauty treatments to save costs. Beauty services like waxing, pedicure, manicure, facials, hair, makeup, spa and much more are now available at the doorstep and customers are wholeheartedly accepting this trend.

Comment