Salon business in Patna hit hard by mercury rise

PATNA: Scorching heat has hit different trades and businesses hard in the state capital. For instance, salons in the city are facing the brunt of hot temperature with no customers coming throughout out the day for any service.
"No one is coming out for any kind of service during the day. The left 6pm to 8pm duration in the evening is not sufficient to serve many people as we have to give time to each customer depending on the type of services they want. I cannot deal with more than two customers at a time in short duration," said noted hair stylist of the capital, Aalim Rahman, adding they are witnessing nearly 50% to 60% drop in the business in past fortnight.
Owner of a high end salon in Boring Road area, Rahul Tiwari said this particular trade was already witnessing a downward trend because of competition as large number of salons has come up recently, and the hot weather has further brought the business down.
Tiwari said since people prefer to come in the evening and the time left is too short, they cannot cater to the services that consume more time and have profit margin. "Even customers do not have patience in this summer to stay for services which require longer time. Again service like blow dry is completely no in this temperature," said Tiwari, adding the situation had also become worst as this was not a wedding season. However, he hoped the business may pick once wedding starts in May.
Front desk manager of a salon chain, Rinku Kumar, too has a similar complaint. At her salon located on Ashiana-Digha road, Rinku said all the staff had been sitting idle throughout the day for past fortnight. "Not a single customer turned up during the day," said Rinku, adding with Eid around the corner, she was expecting some flow, but that too for smaller services in the evening.