The Hindu Business Line : Beauty industry to get a facelift

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New Delhi Feb. 14 The $3-billion Indian beauty industry is all set to get a facelift, with not only domestic but also overseas companies announcing fresh investments into the sector.

Amongst the domestic players, leading aroma therapist Ms Blossom Kochhar said that at least six Aromaveda day Spas targeted specifically at middle-class working women would open by March next year.

"With the Indian beauty sector growing at a 30 per cent year-on-year basis, there's a lot of scope for innovation. In India, Spas are still considered not only an expensive but also far away from most cities. The idea of introducing day spas is to provide with the same level of therapeutic services, but at extremely affordable prices and convenient locations," said Ms Kochhar.

To promote the Aromaveda Spas, Ms Kochhar plans to use the franchise route. "A 2,500 sq ft spa would require an investment of about Rs 35 lakh per outlet, while the larger 4,000 sq ft spa would require investments up to Rs 1 crore," she said.

Apart from Indian companies, several foreign firms including three European companies, Klapp, FlorMar and Germaine De Capuccini, have already firmed up plans and hope to achieve a combined turnover of around $1 million from their Indian operations during the first year itself.

"We will be ready with the infrastructure and products by April, this year," said Mr Mohit Narang, Representative, Klapp India.

The € 30-million company will be bringing products aimed at the Indian professional beauty sector and also plans to open training schools to educate professionals in the domestic beauty care sector.

Similarly, FlorMar, the 35-year-old European beauty company is all set to introduce its range of make-up products here.

"We plan to enter the market in the next two-to-three months and have a nationwide presence through shopping malls and other retail stores," said Mr Mustafa Cem, Export Specialist, FlorMar.

In addition, the Spanish company Germaine De Capuccini's plans to target not only Spa treatment market here, but also view the opportunities in the anti-wrinkle and anti-aging segment.