French style beauty salon Cannelle is looking for prospective franchise owners to aid its expansion into selected areas across the UK.
Based in Oxfordshire, Cannelle is a small collection of beauty salons that provide beauty treatments in a French style. French born France Baudet, founder and owner of Cannelle, explains the difference in French attitude to beauty to English: “My mother never wanted me to shave so she sent me to the beauty salon from when I was 16 and this is common in France. In France beauty is taken very seriously and it is just a part of normal life for women and growingly for men. Like in other parts of Europe it is not unusual for a man to come into a beauty salon for a manicure and it is not viewed in an effeminate way in the slightest.
“There are many more salons in France, but they do less manicures and pedicures than in the UK because I believe French ladies do it themselves. French ladies are also more demanding, so the competition between salons is very fierce.”
Baudet has very strong links with beauty schools in France, she added: “In France you have to study for much longer to train as a beautician and have to learn in depth about physiology, chemistry and business. You finish with a very comprehensive and in depth diploma and a lot of hands on experience. In France being a beautician is a very reputable profession.”
Cannelle salons have seen a steady increase in turnover over the last 10 years and have an established clientele who return on average two to three times a month. According to Baudet salon recommendations accounts for nearly 50 per cent of new clients and between them the salons get an average of 1000 customers a month, 250 of which are new clients.
Baudet added: “The recession has of course had an effect on the beauty industry but at Cannelle we have discovered what it takes to grow a biffer and better business and the personal service our clients receive means they continue to come. We have also found coming to the salon has been even more important in the recession when stress levels have been that much higher. Despite the recession we have decided to expand the business through franchising as Cannelle is committed to providing an excellent opportunity to grow and develop successful businesses, offering high standards of service and quality to customers.”
Published: 13 October 2010
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