Operational in the categories of color, care and style, Werner Robert, Managing Director, Wella India, believes understanding consumer behavior with right focus plus passion, persuasion and perseverance are the keys to run a profitable business.

How do you see your association with Intercoiffure Mondial Worldwide?
We are proud to be associated with ICD Worldwide as the synergies in business is quite high and also both of us value creativity, culture and business ethics.

What is the range of salon products and services offered by Wella?
Wella is operational in the categories of color, care and style. We have four core brands in color category i.e. Koleston Perfect for Permanent Coloring, Color Touch for semi permanent coloring, Magma for color on color, and blonder is the hair bleaching agent.
Biotouch is the range of shampoos, conditioners and masks for individual hair types. High hair is the brand that represents our styling portfolio and Wellastrate is the brand for straightening and Perform Carnitin for making hair curly.

Suggest some healthy hair and beauty tips.
I believe beautiful hair needs an expert and Wella technical team offers you experts’ advice and access. A suggestion, give due importance required to your hair and take care of them.

Are you eyeing smaller cities as well or limited to metros?
Our prime focus is the metro markets and mini metros.

What are the trends in the consumer market? What are people looking for?
With the per capita income of middle class people increasing in India, more and more people are becoming conscious of their looks and that’s how we are noticing a boom in the personal grooming industry. People are looking for products that can help them express themselves, take care good care of their hair, appeal and inspire their senses and help have their own individuality and well being.

What do you see as the main challenges and difficulties in the Indian market?
Indian market and especially the professional segment is quite complex in nature because of the diversity in the needs and desires of the people. The market is still evolving and has not evolved as yet so the difficulties are the similar to developing economies. Also the level of education amongst the hairdressers in India and to educate the masses is challenging.

What is the secret of building a profitable business?
Understanding the consumer behavior, keeping targeted focus on the core business requirements plus passion, persuasion and perseverance hold the keys.

What are the fragrance and flavor market trends for 2007-2008?
We are quite happy with our initiative of launching Trend vision Awards and our collaboration with ICD in India. I am hopeful that it will be a step forward in offering interesting trends to the Indian market.

If you are asked to improve two-things in the Indian market, what would you choose?
Indian hairdressers are great human beings. I would like to raise the level of education amongst the hairdressing fraternity, making them stand at par with international standards.

What is the brand’s outlook for 2007?
We will focus on our core competencies and offer you the best of the best products and trends possible that can encompass and address to larger needs and inspire your senses.