Continuing its expansion spree through its time-tested franchise model, Clara International inks a deal with Jawed Habib Hair & Beauty Ltd (India) to appoint the latter as master franchisee in India last week. Prior to this, the Indian franchisee for Clara International was AVG Enterprises. Clara International Founder and Chairman Datin Dr Clara L Chee sees this development as potential given India’s status as rising economic power with youngest population, and educated and skilled workforce. The beauty chain is leveraging on Habib’s reputation in the sector and extensive network in the country, as expressed by Clara at the signing ceremony in Petaling Jaya, the satellite city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Currently, Clara International has 22 academic centres in India. It plans to have 50 more by March, 2009. The expansion plan for the beauty salon vertical will be concentrated only in Delhi and Punjab, while a plan is there for a nationwide expansion of their academy. With reference to this venture, Jawed Habib comments, “This joint venture is marked as a very good beginning in the hair and beauty salon industry. With the merging of two giants in the industry, the company expects to contribute towards this sector by leveraging the best in expertise as well as in service”. Presently, Habib’s has more than 100 salons and the number is expected to rise to 250 salons with the company’s business associates.
