Saks

What Saks does

Saks Hair & Beauty UK is the UK's longest-established hair and beauty salon franchise, founded in 1974 in Darlington, County Durham, and operated through Saks Hair (Holdings) Ltd, a private limited company owned by its directors. The company operates an asset-light franchise model: individual salons are owned and operated by franchisees under the Saks brand, with locations across the UK from Aberdeen to Exeter, including dedicated salon spaces within David Lloyd Leisure health clubs (a partnership dating from 1998). Saks earns revenue through monthly franchise fees, preferential supplier relationships (L'Oréal Professionnel since 1995, Kérastase, ghd, Redken, Pureology, Elemis, Nouveau Lashes, Jessica Nails, and others), retail product distribution to salons, training and apprenticeship income, gift card sales, and ancillary services. Its primary customer base is women seeking professional hair and beauty services, with secondary segments including franchisee entrepreneurs, brides and wedding parties, and celebrities/public figures serviced through the Saks Artists creative team.

The product surface spans two pillars. Saks Hair offers cuts, colour (including six proprietary Saks Signature Colours developed with L'Oréal Professionnel), styling, extensions (Beauty Works, Racoon), bridal, and treatments. Saks Beauty operates across three tiers: Saks Beauty (standard face and body treatments), Saks Beauty Compact (brows, lashes, nails, tanning, makeup), and Saks Beauty Clinical (advanced non-invasive aesthetics including IPL hair removal achieving up to 95% permanent hair reduction, 3D-lipo body contouring, micro needling, Dermalux LED therapy, and corrective peels using CosMedix, Elemis, Skeyndor, and Elemis BIOTEC). The Love Saks mobile app (iOS/Android, launched September 2020 with Salon IQ integration) provides 24/7 booking and digital loyalty stamp collection across the network. Training infrastructure includes the Saks Training Academy (1998), Kleek Apprenticeships rated Outstanding by Ofsted with Beacon Status, the Saks Hub facility launched January 2024, and the Saks Artists creative team delivering fashion week and film/TV production work.

Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer booking (app, online, walk-in, phone) with a franchise partner recruitment motion offering three pathways: opening new salons, taking over existing locations, or converting independent salons via the Convert to Saks programme (March 2021). Marketing is multi-channel, anchored on brand heritage, celebrity and fashion week visibility (Creative Directors Luke Pluckrose and Clare Murphy work London/Paris Fashion Weeks and major productions including Bridgerton, House of the Dragon, Wicked, and Star Wars), and a national charity partnership with The Eve Appeal (Saks4Eve) which has raised nearly £250,000 over 10 years. The company remains founder-/director-owned with no disclosed institutional investment, private equity backing, or public listing.

Name

Saks

Legal name

Saks Hair (Holdings) Ltd

Website

https://saks.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Saks Hair & Beauty UK is a UK-wide hair and beauty salon franchise, founded in 1974, operating through franchisee-owned salons that serve individual consumers with hair, beauty, and advanced aesthetic services under the Saks brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hair & Beauty Salon Services

NAICS

Beauty Salons (812112), Hair, Nail, and Skin Care Services (81211), Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (456120)

SIC

Services-Personal Services (7200)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional/Salon Haircare (Backbar & Retail) (CRABABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sunless Tanning Product Retail (Self-Tanners/Branded Products) (HSALAJAH), Professional Tanning (Spray Tan & Salon Systems) (CRABALAI)

Keywords

• Hair salon services
• Beauty salon treatments
• Salon franchise network
• Hair colour specialists
• Professional beauty training

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hair and Beauty Services: Core revenue from providing hair cutting, colouring, styling, and beauty treatments including facials, massages, nail services, waxing, tanning, IPL hair removal, and body contouring. Services delivered through franchisee-owned salons across the UK.
2. Gift Cards: E-gift cards sold online and at salons nationwide, valid for 12 months against services. Provides upfront cash flow with redemption deferred to service delivery.
3. Franchise Fees: Monthly fee structure for franchisees in exchange for brand access, training, marketing support, operational guidance, and preferential supplier relationships. Minimal upfront investment with ongoing operational support.
4. Product Sales: Retail product sales including professional hair care brands (Kérastase, L'Oréal Professionnel, ghd, Redken), beauty products, and home care items sold through salons.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

Saks is a UK hair and beauty salon franchise founded in 1974 that delivers professional hair services (cuts, colour, styling, extensions, treatments) and beauty services (facials, peels, massages, IPL hair removal, body contouring, brows, lashes, nails, makeup, tanning) through a national network of franchisee-owned salons. It also runs the Love Saks mobile app for bookings and loyalty, operates the Saks Signature Colours range developed with L'Oréal Professionnel, and offers franchise, training, and apprenticeship programmes for hair and beauty professionals.

Product overview

Saks is the UK's leading hair and beauty salon franchise and top training provider, operating since 1974. The company offers a unified service portfolio centred on Saks Hair (cuts, colour, styling, extensions, treatments) and Saks Beauty (facials, body treatments, glam services). Saks Beauty operates across three tiers: Saks Beauty (standard), Saks Beauty Compact (essentials), and Saks Beauty Clinical (advanced aesthetic treatments). The company also provides the Love Saks mobile app for booking and loyalty, Saks Signature Colours (six proprietary colour techniques), IPL hair removal, and hair extension services. Franchise opportunities and training programmes (apprenticeships and short courses) complete the offering, supported by preferential supplier partnerships with brands including L'Oréal Professionnel, Kérastase, ghd, Elemis, and Nouveau Lashes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Love Saks: Booking and loyalty app for Saks customers enabling 24/7 appointments and stamp collection for rewards.
• Saks4Eve
• Saks Awards
• Saks Artists
• Saks Hub
• Saks Beauty Clinical
• Saks Beauty Compact
• Saks Signature Colours
• Convert to Saks

Products and services

• Saks Hair Core hair salon services including cuts, colour (highlights, balayage, grey coverage, colour changes), styling, bridal, kids' services, extensions, and treatments; stylists are trained by Saks Artists with expertise in signature colour techniques. Target customers are individual women across the UK.
• Saks Beauty Face, body and glam treatments including advanced facials, corrective peels, electro therapies, IPL hair removal, body sculpting (3D-lipo), massages, waxing, brows, lashes, nails, tanning, and makeup services; launched as an extension to the hair salon offering.
• Saks Beauty Clinical Advanced non-invasive aesthetic treatments including hyper-personalised facials, chemical peels, micro needling, LED light therapy, IPL hair removal, body contouring, and skin tightening using CosMedix, Elemis, Skeyndor, Dermalux LED, and Venus Concept technologies.
• Saks Beauty Compact Essential beauty treatments including brows (Brows by Mii), lashes (Nouveau Lashes extensions, LVL Enhance), nails (Jessica Nails), tanning (Kissed by Mii), and makeup (Makeup by Mii) services.
• Saks Signature Colours Six proprietary colour techniques developed with L'Oréal Professionnel: Nurture Natural (root melt toner), Glisten & Glow (multi-faceted depth), Two-Tone (creative colour), Grown Out Glam (highlights conversion), Shine & Define (bright pieces), and Peekaboo Pieces (underneath colour).
• IPL Hair Removal Intense Pulsed Light hair removal treatment achieving up to 95% permanent hair reduction in 6-8 sessions, also effective for skin rejuvenation, acne, thread veins and broken capillaries.
• Saks Body Services Body treatments including massages, IPL hair removal, body sculpting with 3D-lipo system (Cavitation, Cryo therapy, Radio Frequency, vacuum roller), and professional waxing services.
• Hair Extensions Multiple extension methods including weft, tape, pre-bonded, and micro ring extensions using Beauty Works Professional Hair Extensions; services include colour matching, blending, and seamless application.
• Saks Face Services Facials, peels and electro therapies using advanced skincare brands CosMedix, Elemis, and Skeyndor; services include advanced facials, corrective peels, and non-surgical treatments with Elemis BIOTEC, Dermalux LED, Dermatude, and Venus Concept equipment.
• Saks Glam Services Glam beauty services covering brows (Brows by Mii), lashes (Nouveau Lashes extensions, LVL Enhance), nails (Jessica Nails), tanning (Kissed by Mii), and makeup (Makeup by Mii).
• Love Saks App Booking and loyalty mobile app available on iOS and Android enabling 24/7 appointment booking, loyalty stamp collection, and rewards redemption across participating Saks salons nationwide; serves as the central consumer touchpoint.
• Saks Gift Cards E-Gift cards valid for hair and beauty services at Saks salons nationwide, valid for 12 months from purchase; sold online and at salons.
• Saks Franchise Programme Franchise opportunity for hair and beauty professionals with three pathways: open new salon, take over existing salon, or convert independent salon to Saks via Convert to Saks; includes training, marketing support, business mentoring, and preferential brand partnerships.
• Saks Training Academy Hair, beauty, and management education programmes including work-based apprenticeships (via Kleek Apprenticeships), creative short courses, and ongoing training with Saks Artists and leading hair and beauty brands.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 95% permanent hair reduction in 6-8 IPL sessions
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Eve AppealcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 201510-year national charity partnership raising funds and awareness for the five gynaecological cancers (womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval, vaginal). Saks4Eve initiative includes salon fundraising activities, events, and challenges. Raised nearly £250,000 toward £250,000+ pledge. Partnership embodies Saks brand values of supporting women.
• L'Oréal ProfessionnelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing strategic partnership dating from 1995. L'Oréal Colour Specialists trained across Saks network. Saks Artists deliver education programs and have presented headline shows at L'Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Finals (2019, 2023). Mutual collaboration on colour techniques, products, and creative events.
• David Lloyd LeisurecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSaks is the chosen salon group for David Lloyd Leisure health clubs across the UK since 1998. Provides exclusive hair services to David Lloyd members in dedicated salon spaces within clubs.
• British Franchise Association (BFA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaks is a respected member of the BFA for many years, demonstrating adherence to ethical franchising standards and best practices.
• KérastasecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremium hair care brand partnership; products used and retailed in Saks salons. Saks stylists trained on Kérastase ranges including Chroma Absolu, Blond Absolu, and Kérastase Premiere for damage repair.
• ghdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred styling tool partner; ghd products used extensively by Saks Artists for fashion week, red carpet, and editorial work. Products recommended and retailed.
• RedkencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional hair care brand partnership providing colour and styling products across Saks network.
• PureologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional hair care brand; sulphate-free formulas for colour-treated hair used and retailed in Saks salons.
• RacooncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHair extensions brand partnership; Saks offers Racoon extensions as part of service menu.
• Beauty WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional hair extensions partner of choice; Beauty Works Professional Hair Extensions used in Saks salons with express weft service available.
• ElemiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremium skincare brand used in Saks Beauty facials and advanced treatments; products retailed in salons.
• CosMedixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvanced clinical skincare brand used in Saks Beauty Clinical treatments and corrective peels.
• SkeyndorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional skincare brand providing products for Saks Beauty facials and treatments.
• Jessica NailscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNail care brand partnership; products used for manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements in Saks Beauty salons.
• Nouveau LashescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLash extension brand; Saks offers Nouveau Lashes services including Extend, Express, SVS, and LVL Enhance treatments.
• HD BrowscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrow treatment brand partnership providing professional brow services across Saks Beauty network.
• Brows by MiicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPersonalised brow treatment brand; combines consultation, tinting, waxing, and finishing for comprehensive brow services.
• Makeup by MiicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional makeup brand used by Saks therapists for makeup services and retail.
• Kissed by MiicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional sunless tanning brand; coral seaweed-infused formulas used in Saks Beauty spray tan services.
• Venus ConceptcoreTechnology or IntegrationNon-surgical body contouring and skin tightening technology; Venus Concept equipment used in Saks Beauty Clinical treatments.
• 3D-lipocoreTechnology or IntegrationNon-surgical fat removal and body contouring system; Cavitation, Cryo therapy, RF technologies used in Saks Beauty body sculpt treatments.
• Dermalux LED Light TherapycoreTechnology or IntegrationLED light therapy technology used in Saks Beauty Clinical for skin rejuvenation and treatment enhancement.
• DecleorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAromatherapy and skincare brand; essential oil-based products used in Saks Beauty massage and facial treatments.
• Beauty LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvanced skincare brand used in Saks Beauty treatments including glycolic facials.
• Kleek ApprenticeshipscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-approved apprenticeship provider rated Outstanding by Ofsted; delivers work-based learning for hairdressing and beauty therapy in Saks salons.
• TowergateminorOthersInsurance partner sponsoring Saks Gathering & Awards events.
• KlarnaminorOthersPayment solutions provider; Pay in 3/Pay in 30 payment options available at participating Saks salons for customer convenience.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Great Clips: Largest hair salon franchise in North America with thousands of locations. Comparable franchise-driven hair salon model with strong training systems and consumer brand recognition, though serving a different geography.
• Rush Hair: UK hair salon group with multiple locations offering cuts, colour and beauty services. Closely comparable as a UK-based multi-site hair and beauty salon operator competing in the same consumer and franchisee market.
• Toni&Guy: Global hairdressing salon franchise with strong education credentials and fashion week presence. Directly comparable to Saks as a UK-originated hair salon franchise serving consumer and celebrity clients with similar styling, colour and training offerings.
• Daniel Galvin: Premium UK colour-specialist salon brand with flagship London locations. Comparable as a UK-based high-end hair salon brand with celebrity clientele and educational influence, though operating company-owned rather than franchise locations.

Broad incumbents

• Regis Corporation: Largest hair salon franchise operator in the world (Supercuts, Cost Cutters, Hair Cuttery). Comparable as a hair salon franchise platform with brand portfolio, training infrastructure and franchise economics, though primarily US-focused.
• Frédéric Fekkai: Established luxury hair salon and product brand with celebrity styling credentials. Comparable as a premium hair brand with salon operations, education programmes and retail product lines, though US-headquartered.
• John Frieda Salons: Premium hair care brand with associated salon experience and product retail. Comparable through professional product positioning and brand-led consumer marketing paralleling Saks' L'Oréal/Kérastase partnerships.

Others

• L'Oréal Professionnel: Core strategic partner since 1995 supplying colour, education and co-marketing (L'Oréal Colour Trophy). Enabling partner rather than competitor; pivotal to Saks' colour specialist positioning and creative shows.
• Kérastase: Premium professional haircare brand and key Saks supplier. Adjacent rather than competing; relevant as a strategic supplier-partner whose product portfolio and education programmes underpin Saks' retail and service quality.

Emerging players

• Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa: UK-based high-end hair salon and medi-spa combining hair services with advanced aesthetic treatments. Comparable to Saks Beauty Clinical offering with IPL, skin and body treatments alongside core hair services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sakshairandbeauty
• Facebookfacebook.com/SaksHairandBeautyUK
• Instagraminstagram.com/saks_uk
• TikToktiktok.com/@sakshairandbeauty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sakshairandbeauty

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Saks