Guinot to open 100 branded salons across the UK

French skincare giant Guinot is gearing up to launch 100 Guinot-branded salons across the UK.

The new salons will be launched through partnerships in an affiliate scheme.

Similar to a franchise arrangement, the scheme will allow salon owners to either rebrand their existing business or open a new salon using the Guinot name.

However, Guinot said the scheme would involve less of a financial commitment than a standard franchise scheme as it does not involve the payment of a set percentage or turnover each month. Instead affiliates would pay a one-off start-up fee.

Guinot already has 15 affiliate salons in France and is planning to roll the concept out to the UK this year, with the first affiliate salon expected to open in 2012.

Ahead of the roll-out, Guinot will open its first company-owned salon opposite its head office in Ascot at the end of May.

This salon will act as a flagship and also as a showroom for salon owners interested in opening a Guinot-branded salon to see the concept in operation.

Guinot's affiliation marketing manager Karine Bourbon said: "The plan is now to open 100 salons in the UK within five years after a successful pilot salon."

Affiliate salons in France currently receive business advice, a personalised mini-website, delivery and installation of concept fixtures and signs and an initial three-week training programme and a six-week marketing and communication plan.

"One year after the launch of our first affiliated salon, we can demonstrate a positive report of its operations: an average growth of 25% in turnover and a growth of the client database," added Bourbon.

The furniture used in the salons will be very similar to the pieces Guinot uses at its exhibition stands (pictured).

Guinot has also developed salon software to simplify the business end and offer a turnkey solution for start-ups.

Guinot was was the number-one professional skincare brand in Europe last year by market value, according to market research group Kline.