User:Happywikigroup4/sandbox

10-minute haircut is a special haircutting service originated from Japan. It is a service which only provides customers with haircutting service, but not including shampooing, blow-drying or shaving. Each customer only needs to pay at a low price (usually HK$50) for this service, and each haircutting process lasts for ten minutes. The 10-minute just cut service aims at providing customers with reasonably-charged and convenient haircutting service, so that customers can have more personal time as well as can save their pocket money in this fast-paced and price-inflated society. Examples of 10-minute haircutting chains are QB House and EC House.

One of the branch stores of QB House located in Tai Po, Hong Kong (4 Nov, 2013)

Origin

The first 10-minute Just Cut Salon was started in Mitoshirochō, Tokyo in 1996. The company summarized its outlet operation method with avoided waste of tasks except cut, so that stylists can be only managing to cut hair. These efforts brought haircut stores to get closer to customer’s prime demand which is to cut hair as quickly in 10 minutes at a low price.

Circulation

The concept of 10-minute haircut is getting to be accepted not only in Japan, but in the world. Some salons imitate to provide quick haircutting service to customers. This concept is now spreading and running worldwide, including Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Until now, there are over 500 branch stores offering this service in the world.

Features

Hygienic environment

Salons which adopt the concept of 10 minutes haircut emphasize a lot on hygiene. Each customers is provided with a towel or a disposable neck towel and a new set of comb after the haircut. Besides, all the equipment used is well-sterilized. For the uniform for the stylists, it is made from antibacterial and deodorant materials. All is to ensure that all customers can enjoy a comfortable and neat haircut service.

Trained Professional Stylists

The stylists are specially trained by some well-known Japanese instructors, who have acquired sophisticated quick haircutting skills. They learned quick and accurate haircutting techniques which are called "Express Cut", providing efficient haircuts for customers. Furthermore, some stylists are sent to Japan to improve their competency in haircutting. Therefore, their hairstyling skills can allow them to work efficiently in a fast-paced working environment.

Convenient haircut at a modest price

One of the most distinguished features of the 10-minute haircut is that they provide fast-speed and inexpensive haircut services. For example in QB House, it only takes HK$50 for a 10-minute haircut. In fact, the haircutting time depends on the hairstyle the customers want. Even if it takes more than 10 minutes, there will not be any extra charges.

Other Innovative Facilities

• Air Washer: to clean up the cut off hair
• Build-in closet: to store the belongings of the customers

Procedure

Step 1

Check the waiting time. There are usually indications of the crowdedness in order to save time of customers.

Step 2

Purchase tickets from the vending machine. The stylists will not accept cash directly from customers.

Step 3

Wait for the stylists to serve. You can take a seat at the waiting chair. The stylists will serve customers by the waiting chair numbering sequence.

Step 4

Put your personal belongings in the closet. There are some corner stations for customers to put personal belongings in.

Step 5

Start your haircut. You can request the stylists for the hairstyles you want and get yourself refreshed after a 10-minute haircut without getting your hair wet.

Trend of Quick Haircut in Hong Kong

Initial Stage: 2006 - 2010

In 2006, the first 10-minute haircut salon in Hong Kong was open. It was introduced by a well-known Japan quick haircut company QB House. The pioneer caught the attention of a part of Hong Kong citizens. With the vast financial foundation, the company rapidly expanded its scale. 13 branches were established in a few years later. The brand new experience (i.e. The traditional way of Hong Kong people to have their hair cut is shampooing, haircutting and blow-drying, which is totally different from the 10-minute haircut.) and the famous brand effect brought significant profits to the company. Some local hair stylists hired by the company and some exterior experienced hair stylists noticed the success of QB House. They followed the company to open 10-minute haircut salons. However, due to the relatively low popularity of quick haircut in Hong Kong and the lack of brand influence, these small businesses were unable to sustain.

A quick haircut salon located in a shopping mall under Private Housing Ownership Scheme, Sau Mau Ping, Hong Kong. (5 Nov, 2013)

Mature and stable stage: 2011 - Now

The above situation of the privately owned quick haircut stores has been altered from 2011 apparently. Starting from 2011, more locals have recognized the 10-minute haircut service. It might be resulted from continuous expansion of chain companies and the rise of the public reputation of small quick haircut stores. The 10-minute haircut has become common in Hong Kong, even there is at least one quick haircut salon in a shopping centre under Home Ownership Scheme. The 10-minute haircut has many advantages,. It is cheap(i.e. Generally HK$50 for a quick haircut service compared to a HK$100 normal haircut service.), time-saving and therefore attractive to Hong Kong people who are living in a fast-paced and price-inflated society. It was reported that two men collaborated to start two quick haircut stores in 2011 and they had already earned HK$230 ,000 after three months. The extensive popularity of the 10-minute haircut service in Hong Kong is optimistically foreseen.

External links

• Origin of quick haircut[]
• http://www.qbhouse.com/hk/en/about/
• http://www.ec-house.com.sg
• http://www.qbhouse.com/hk/en/company/highlight.php