How Nikita Hair Stands Out in the Growing Salon Industry

Since being founded by self-made entrepreneur Inger Ellen Nicolaisen in 1984, Nikita Hair has become one of Europe’s leading hair salon groups. By prioritizing quality of service and client experience, Nikita Hair has been able to stand out in the salon services space, elevating client expectations of what their hair care experience can and should be.

Now, the brand is seeking to capitalize on more than three decades of experience to tap into the $75 billion hair  and beauty services market in the U.S. through franchising. 

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the salon industry was growing steadily — according to IBISWorld, the market size of the industry in the U.S. has grown 1.2% per year on average between 2015 and 2020. Now, with countless customers eager to get their haircut and colored after months in quarantine, there is a spike in demand post-COVID-19. Long term, the salon industry is “Amazon-resistant”, meaning it isn't a service that people can buy online, and is therefore one that will continue to drive foot-traffic. 

One of the primary reasons Nikita Hair is pursuing growth through franchising in the U.S. is due to the lack of a dominant national player in the salon space that delivers luxury services at a competitive price point. 

“Nikita Hair stands out from the competition by filling the need for affordable luxury in the hair salon industry,” said Nicolaisen. “People want a brand they can count on for a great salon experience and the highest quality service at an affordable price. While clients usually have to choose between a low-cost, no-frills salon and an expensive local boutique salon, Nikita Hair is an affordable salon concept dedicated to quality. Our goal is to make people feel twice as nice and twice as confident. We are in the identity business — our concept is not just about cutting hair.”

The Nikita Hair offering goes beyond that of traditional salon concepts found throughout the U.S., and includes an extensive menu of services that includes hair extensions, balayage, volume and moisturizing treatments, and more. “There’s a consultation aspect to our offering and a genuine degree of care in our work, making a visit our salon more than just a task our clients cross off of their to-do lists,” said Andrea Lyman, CEO of Nikita Hair. “Providing clients with the best salon experience, starts with recruiting the best team members, continuing education for stylist training and beauty product development.” 

The Nikita Hair business opportunity further distinguishes itself due to its signature product line and salon-exclusive treatments that drive sizable revenue for the concept — with sales higher than the industry standard. The brand’s exclusive Eleni and Chris product line is a key contributor to its success, adding further value to the Nikita Hair concept as a whole and allowing franchisees to tap into the lucrative retail hair care industry.

“The retail element is a strong revenue opportunity for our business partners, with the high quality of these award winning products fueling this success,” Lyman said. “Inger and her daughter, Christinah, developed Eleni and Chris after years of being asked for product recommendations from clients, so they took it upon themselves to develop a high-quality line with Scandinavian ingredients like cloudberries, all with their customers in mind. The results have paid dividends in our strong supply chain and generated strong revenue that has helped fuel the brand’s staying power, something franchisees can benefit greatly from as we grow throughout the U.S.”

Now, with 37 years of successful growth in the hair and beauty segment, more than 150 salons, five academies and the development of several salon-exclusive product lines, Nikita Hair has a deep understanding and unparalleled positioning in the segment. 

“Instead of focusing on rapid expansion, our main focus is on the success of the first ten U.S. franchise locations,” said Nicolaisen. “We are currently scheduled to open in Ohio, Charleston, South Carolina and are looking at Dallas for future development. Successful Nikita Hair franchisees need not be expert hair stylists; rather, the brand seeks candidates with sufficient management experience and people skills above all.”

With Nikita Hair’s established business model, proven methods and ongoing training, education and support, the brand is positioned to become a leading force in the growing salon industry.

For more information on the Nikita Hair franchise opportunity, visit: https://nikitahair.com/nikita-hair-franchise/