Inspired by modern time restraints, a growing group of tech-savvy companies are launching programs to assist people in booking appointments. For the beauty world, this represents a merging of industry and technological possibilities.
Wahanda is one of the leaders of the movement. The UK-based website allows consumers to book appointments online for beauty treatments, including hair, nails and spa days.
The company’s success in the UK is such that it is now expanding around the globe, and has recently scored an additional $AUD95 million in funding from Japan’s Recruit Holdings. Recruit Holdings now owns 80 per cent of Wahanda and operates a similar business in Japan.
Plans have also been announced for the company to purchase Zensoon - a similar beauty platform based in France. This is not the first time the UK firm has bought out a rival - the company recently purchased Dutch competition Treatwell, which was its fifth acquisition.
Continued global expansion for Wahanda is inevitable, with CEO and founder Lopo Champalimaud stating: “Our ambitions are definitely global. We have an opportunity for a global business and that’s our goal.”
