Hairdressing expert David Charlton plans to open up a Hairdressing Academy in Cebu primarily to provide training and skills facility for interested hairdressers, initially for the David Salon chain of outlets in the Southern Philippines.
As of this time though, Charlton said there is no immediate plan in establishing the academy in Cebu, as the need for hair-dressing training for all its chain can be accommodated in its David Salon Hair Dressing Academy in Manila.
For the meantime, Charlton said the chain is focusing on establishing presence in the untapped provinces that have big potential for business, while positioning the brand to hit the middle-range market emphasizing the affordable cost of service without compromising its world-class quality.
Despite the threat of inflation, and financial difficulties, he said people have more disposable income now, just like the car industry, which has continuously post good performance, amid the perceived economic fragility.
In the hairdressing service on the other hand, he said the potential for growth is still very promising in the Philippines, David Salon chain is addressing varied segment in the market, from high-end to the lower-middle that is why it is trying to hit the huge middle-end market segment.
There are now a total of 186 David Salon outlets across the country, nine of which are located in Cebu managed by franchisees Max and Jojing Telford, other outlets are operated by Eunice Castillo, and Robert Greville.
According Charlton, as of this time, his Hairdressing Academy in Manila still largely accommodate training requirements of the chain, although it has slowly attracting outside enrollees.
Thus, the establishment of the Academy is still not considered as revenue contributor for the chain, instead an expense for the company.
When the David Salon in Cebu could grow to at least 20 to 30 outlets, he said this time he would consider in putting up the Academy here.
Charlton also noted that the hairdressing industry in the Philippines is also hit by the brain-drain problem, although his own chain is slightly affected as more hairdressers are staying for long years.
He said there is a now a growing demand for good hairdressers in other countries such as Australia, Canada, these skill is considered as white-collar profession in these countries.
Charlton was in Cebu Tuesday, to formally open its 8th outlet in Cebu, located at SM Northwing.
The second David Salon outlet within the SM Cebu Shopping mall is designed to accommodate the more sophisticated market, emphasizing on hair treatment service, using the French product Kerastasse.
The newly opened salon called “L’espace Kerastase by David’s for Rever, is an entirely new concept for salons in Cebu, conceived and conceptualized by Kerastasse Paris brand of hair care treatments. – Ehda M. Dagooc