TOKYO - Budget haircut salons are gaining popularity across Japan. A close look at their innovative approach reveals how they manage to offer such low prices.
At the "Hair Salon IWASAKI Tokyo Jiyugaoka Branch," many customers are waiting in line, drawn by the salon's weekday time service.
According to Mayu Iwasaki, the head of the PR department at Hakubun Co., "Most of our salons typically charge ¥980 for a haircut. However, during the time service, we offer cuts for ¥690."
From 10 AM to 12 PM on weekdays, customers can get a haircut for just ¥690, including tax (excluding shampooing).
How can they offer such a low price?
Iwasaki explains, "We complete the haircut in one-third of the time of a regular salon without compromising on quality. Our techniques are original, designed to save time, and the entire process, including payment, is completed within 20 minutes."
In contrast, a typical salon experience, including consultation, shampooing, cutting, drying, and payment, usually takes around 60 minutes. By focusing solely on haircuts, these salons increase customer turnover.
Moreover, the salon has created a video manual detailing time-saving cutting techniques, which new hairstylists can learn from, reducing training costs.
They've also implemented cost-saving measures in response to rising prices.
Iwasaki adds, "Since the start of this year, material and utility costs have risen by about 2%. Recently, we started using neck paper instead of towels, which has slightly reduced our utility and laundry costs."
These efforts have helped the salon chain exceed 1,000 stores nationwide, with nearly 50 new openings since April.
A satisfied customer in her 80s commented, "It's incredibly affordable. Even ¥1,000 would be a bargain. The quick service is very satisfying."
¥1,430 Haircuts, ¥2,640 Coloring Services – Shampooing by Machine
Meanwhile, across the industry, rising utility and labor costs have led to a surge in salon closures nationwide.
According to Tokyo Shoko Research, the number of salon bankruptcies reached 46 between January and April this year, the highest pace in a decade.
Despite the tough environment, other salons are also thriving.
At the "Chokipeta Narimasu Branch" in Itabashi Ward, the specialized haircut and color salon charges ¥1,430 for haircuts and ¥2,640 for coloring, both including tax.
Around 80% of the salon's customers are women, thanks to a strategy tailored to attract female clientele.
Kaoru Uehara, head of sales at C&P Co., explains, "Our main target is women aged 40 and above. We want customers to use our services conveniently, perhaps while shopping. That’s why we often open salons next to supermarkets."
To keep prices low, the salon offers an "auto shampoo" service for an additional ¥550 for haircut-only customers.
While customers are shampooed by a machine, hairstylists can attend to other clients, boosting turnover.
A customer in her 70s said, "It's fantastic. I was impressed by the auto shampoo service the first time I came."
When the program staff tried the auto shampoo, they described it as "having a strong water pressure that gives a thorough scalp massage."
The salon also offers self-blow drying and self-checkout options, allowing them to maintain low service prices.
Uehara concludes, "We encourage customers to do as much as they can themselves. This also helps reduce wait times."
The secret behind these budget haircuts lies in the clever strategies to cut both costs and time.
Source: ANN
