Grooming bills surge 20% in Maha; salon operators say Gulf war one of the reasons

Kolhapur: A simple haircut or shave is set to cost significantly more across Maharashtra, with salon and beauty parlour operators announcing a 20% hike in service charges, citing rising input costs and mounting financial pressure.

The Maharashtra Association of Salon and Beauty Parlour Operators has issued a notice on June 5 to implement the revised rates with immediate effect, following a steady increase in prices of essential products and operational expenses. The members of the association said that many of the items used regularly in the salon business contain petrochemical-based materials, and the Gulf conflict has had an impact on their prices.

Explaining the decision, Sayaji Zunzar, the president of Maharashtra Nabhik Mahamandal, said, “The increase in fuel prices has led to huge inflation in all sectors. The salon industry is no exception. Most major international and domestic beautycare and grooming brands have increased the prices of all their materials drastically.”

He further added, “The prices of essential commodities, including fuel, have increased in urban and rural areas. As a result, salon business owners are facing many problems. Therefore, to cope with inflation, salon prices have been increased by 20%.”

Salon owners said the hike was unavoidable to sustain their businesses and protect livelihoods. Bharati Kashid, a Pune-based unisex parlour owner, said, “The sharp increase in the prices of daily necessities like shampoo, hair colour, gel and wax has put a huge strain on salon professionals, and hence, the hike was mandatory to survive in the salon business. We didn’t have any other option but to increase our service charges.”

With the revision, customers will now pay higher rates across services. In premium and air-conditioned salons in Kolhapur city, shaving is expected to cost between Rs 100 and Rs 250, haircuts Rs 100 to Rs 350, hair colouring Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, facials Rs 500 to Rs 2,000, and hair treatments up to Rs 3,000. Bridal makeup may touch Rs 10,000, while groom packages could range up to Rs 4,000. Prices are expected to be relatively lower in rural areas.

Industry representatives said the hike reflects a broader inflationary trend impacting small service providers, as rising product costs, fuel prices, rent and financing burdens continue to squeeze margins.