The Hindu Business Line : Jawed Habib plans bodycare brand

Hairstylist Jawed Habib is all set to reposition his company, Jawed Habib Hair and Beauty, as a complete bodycare brand, instead of just a haircare brand.

Mr Habib said his company would be launching a range of hair and beauty products, which would be retailed through the salon route.

Also on the cards is acquisition of international beauty and hair care brands.

Jawed Habib Hair and Beauty already has around 80 salons across the country, and the company plans to increase the number to 300 in the next couple of years.

"We plan to widen our presence in tier-two cities and towns. In fact, we are also looking at taking over local salon chains in these places."

The company is looking at opening up salons across Europe in a big way.

It already has two salons in London and is planning to enter Paris shortly.

"We also plan to enter Australia, West AsiaSingapore and Bangkok."

Within India, the company plans to explore new retail formats such as setting up salons in call centre premises as well as at airports.

It is planning to expand its salon education institutes to Chennai and Dhaka.

The company already runs two institutes in Delhi and one each in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Kathmandu. "There is a big gap in the area of organised salon education in the country and we are going to be on a fast track in this space," Mr Habib said.The company is toying with the idea of an IPO some time next year, to raise money for various international and domestic investments. "But before that, we would like to put systems in place."