The essence of any spa is its product range which plays a critical part in defining the level of a spa and its overall competency. Salon India brings to you the top spa products that are generously contributing to the growth of this sector
Renowned wellness experts and veterans believe that spa products are the major contributors in the growth of the industry and choosing the right product is a must for the spas to improve or sustain their market value. At present, spas rely on more than two to three variety of brands in hair, skin and foot rituals category. It not only broadens their client base but also gives a nod to the varying trends in the industry.
Experts suggest
Says Miriam Mathew, Spa Expert and Consultant, “With a growing market and client base, the fusion of traditional and modern treatment practices in India, the spa sector is the sunshine industry. Rapid growth in spa and wellness is attracting more and more spa brands in India. Even top international brands are getting attracted to the Indian wellness industry and eyeing their space here.”
Nilesh R Kantak, Spa Manager, Club Olympus Spa & Fitness, Hyatt Regency Delhi says, “It is crucial to select premium products that give satisfying results. For spa products, the preference is always given to mostly natural products that have minimal or no chemical content. Such considerations are important so that we select the right product and rule out the possibilities of side effects, which is usually in the case of synthetic products. One also needs to ensure that the chosen product is compatible to all skin types.”
Some industry experts even swear by selected brands. Tracey Poole, Director of Spa, Six Senses Resorts and Spas, Jaypee Greens Golf Resort and Spa says, “I highly recommend the Vitamin C Serum with Hyoluronate by SeaSoul. It contains Vitamin C and Vitamin E with other beneficial ingredients, such as plant stem cells, Moroccan Argan and Noni fruits, the application improves dehydration, soothes and brightens the skin.”
Bharti Modi, Director, HVM Network Pvt Ltd shares, “Vedicline’s products offer to restore body, relax mind and energise the spirit. One can pamper face with facial kits, keep feet soft and nourish hair with essential oils. Choose from the wide range of Vedicline products, as per your bodies intuition and simply feel good.”
Likewise, Leher Sethi, Associate Director, Marketing and Operations, Sawadhee Thai spa shares, “Spa products are mostly organic which makes them safe and the most natural thing to use for the skin. I personally like and recommend products from Kama Ayurveda, L’Occitane en Provence and Forest Essentials.”
The biggest question that arises is the selection of right product for a spa. Tara J Herron, Spa Consultant, shares basic criteria for product selection saying, “This is a broad and involved topic that is at the very core of major spa operations and, therefore, at the forefront of your spa concept. As a spa owner, you initially need to research the brand’s established client base and then review whether their image and marketing aligns with your profile. Find out which spas carry their products and treatments and, if possible, try out their treatment experience.”
Growth potential
Many spas like to have an exclusive product line or in-house spa products to provide the guests with an organic spa experience. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers India, the Indian ‘rejuvenation segment’ is estimated to be about $90 to $110 million, and with only an estimated 2 per cent of Indian consumers being the active participants, it is evident that the scope for growth is huge. This is supported by rising income of the middle-class, which enables them to travel to domestic spa destinations.
Hair spa products
Whenever, we talk about spa products, the very first thought strikes in our mind is the body massages, essential oils for skin and body. However, the market for hair spa products is also wide and has major potential, as the mane gets marred by the seasonal or weather change, the most. Few of the treatments that one should undergo for treating frizzy hair are hot oil massages with steam, hair spa, Keratine and Argan oil treatment. Moreover, top-end brands like L’Oréal Professionnel, Matrix and Wella Professional also offer numerous professional treatments to combat hair loss, damage and frizz.
Akshata Honawar, Creative Director, Runah Salon and member of L’Oréal Professionnel Dream Team, reveals, “In shampoos, L’Oréal Professionnel and Kérastase have a scalp range specific to problems of the scalp. The range available are anti-dandruff, anti-oily and a mild, everyday use shampoo for limp and frizzy hair. One can also choose from L’Oréal Professionnel’s Liss Ultime range or the Nutritive range in Kérastase to combat major hair issues. These products have a patented polymer that helps seal your cuticle and avoids frizz.”
Additionally, Sylvia Chen, National Brand Ambassador for Wella care and style said, “Professional range of shampoos and conditioners are formulated for specific hair and scalp type. We offer Wella Exoticare Silk spa for dry hair and Wella Exoticare Vitalising spa in home care range. The Wella Professionals Age Resist shampoo and Wella Professionals Age Resist treatments works effectively on hair that is vulnerable to humidity.”
Skin care products
THALGO: Gayatri Keni Sali, CEO, Thalgo India
About: The brand offers spa rituals, thalassotherapy, body wraps, oils and body moisturisers, slimming and firming as well as hotel amenities.
Product inventory: It has about 300 professional and retail products for skin care, body care, men care, sunblock and equipments.
USP: The professional treatments are enriched with the properties of algae, seaweeds, essential minerals, sea salts, vitamins and all the goodness of pure sea water. Thalgo products are free from parabens, propylene glycol, silicon, artificial coloring, GMO and animal origin.
Market response: The products are gaining positive response from the market as various renowned hotel spas, salons and standalone spas and resorts are using Thalgo products. Available in over 92 countries across the globe, it is ranked as number one in the European market.
FQG: 20 per cent approximate.
Growth strategy: To train the therapists and improve their skill and knowledge.
Promotional strategy: The brand has introduced samples, testers, miniatures, travel size hotel amenities for the the consumers, therapists and retail buyers. The brand often organises a Thalgo day at the spa premises for promotion. They often arrange giveaways for bloggers and editors to review their products. The brand often introduces seasonal offers and special gift packs.
Sales data: Not disclosed.
Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic Essential Oils : Dr Blossom Kochhar, Chairperson, Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies
About: The Essential Oils range is an integral part of Aromatherapy.
Product inventory: The brand offers 56 essential and blended oils that are used in leading spas. Further, its professional range has 10 to 12 products including massage creams, toners, exfoliators, packs and masks.
USP: The range is infused with essential oils, vitamins, proteins, flower waters, plant extracts and similar nourishing ingredients.
Market response: The brand operates in nine cities, managed by more than 175 stockists and a large network of dealers. The Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic Essential Oils promise to be a preferred product by high-end spas and wellness centres.
FQG: The brand saw double digit growth in the last financial year.
Growth strategy: The brand aims for constant innovation to suffice the consumer’s need. It aims to improve access and delivery of affordable products, which is the key to sustained growth of the brand.
Promotional strategy: Seasonal offers, consumer schemes, launch of new spa kits are the few ways of promotion adopted by the brand.
Sales data: The product is used by 20,000 salons across India.
IRAYA: Rahul Kale, Co-founder, Iraya
About: A high-end brand of Ayurveda inspired beauty and wellness products, Iraya believes in making quality products by using pure natural ingredients by preserving the prescribed Ayurveda formulation and process while manufacturing the products.
Product inventory: The brand offers spa products in Ayurveda, botanicals, spa at home, bath and shower, skinceuticals and gift kits. It has 15 to 20 luxury product brands.
USP: Its product formulations do not require additives or preservatives. The products contain moisture and ingredients that are largely extracted from natural sources, making them safe carriers for the active natural ingredients used.
Market response: Although, the brand was launched in 2006, the formulations have been used around the world for over 25 years now. Consumers across the globe. trust its formulations and have been satisfied with the results.
FQG: The brand has shown a solid growth with the increase in sale of all skin care categories.
Growth strategy: The brand has expanded from three to 65 clients within a span of three years and till date, it has reached 100 spas. The brand is planning to introduce more natural products to reach maximum customers.
Promotional strategy: By taking part in B2B events communication is facilitated, improving its online presence and retailing through hyper market stores and schemes.
Future plans: Research and development is a continuous process at Iraya. They are planning to introduce new a cream-based face masque.
Sales data: 1300 units approximately in a month.
H2O+: Divya Nayyar, Brand Manager, H2O+
About: It’s a world-class spa formula that combines a blend of aromatic essences that invigorate the senses while nourishing the skin with a fusion of marine extracts.
Product inventory: The brand offers 24 products in India.
USP: Inspired by professional spa treatments, H2O+ products are rich in mineral sea salts that detoxify and purify the skin. Its products are formulated with marine extracts and vitamins blend to replenish nutrients and help re-hydrate.
Market response: The H2O+ spa luxuries continue to be the best selling body care range of the brand in India.
FQG: Since its inception in 2005, the brand is seeing year-on-year growth and is targeting 100 per cent growth from last year.
Growth strategy: Ease of accessibility, better online presence, better shopping experience, interesting promotions and offers, and brand visibility are the key strategies to increase the reach of the brand.
Promotional strategy: More tie-ups with high-end salons to further popularise the H2O+ products
Future plans: To introduce paraben-free calming body washes, body scrubs and lotions in Sea Lavender and Sea Amber ranges.
Sales data: The brand see 25 to 30 per cent increase in revenue and around 40 to 50 per cent increase in the footfall in its stores. It has sold about 5,900 quantities of the spa luxuries last year. An average of 500 units in a month.
BELLEZA AROMÁTICA: Nandishi Shriram, Proprietor, Ligne International
About: The brand offers excellent skin repair tools with pure essential oils that help at an epithelial level, whilst providing wellness care. It also aims at tapping the core essential issues of the consumers and the products are devised accordingly.
Product inventory: The brand has about 154 spa products. Each range has 14 items including face cream, hand and body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, hair oil, face serum, face mask, face scrub, face wash. shower scrub gel, lip balm, oil blend, bath salts, glycerine hand made bath bar.
USP: The products are designed after the from the experts have delved into skin care and are offered at reasonable prices. The brand offers rare ranges such as marigold, lavender, blue lotus, pomegranate, hibiscus, blue lotus, sensuale, mogra, rose-saffron-honey, soothe, seabuck thorn and orange.
Market response: The customers, mainly women, appreciate the products, especially the face creams, shampoos and the face masks.
FQG: The brand has witness 30 per cent growth in the last quarter.
Growth strategy: The brand aims to improve its retail outreach by participating in consumer exhibitions, using PR as a tool to publicise the products.
Promotional strategy: By participating in consumer exhibitions, spa events, social marketing and e-commerce.
Future plans: To introduce an Ayurvedic range for retail outlets and for in-room display. This will be highly cost efficient and would be easily affordable by the masses.
Sales data: Initial investment was Rs50 lakh.
