The Hairdressing Industry in Sunnfjord: Analysis of Companies, Economics, and Outlooks

Overview of Craft and Development

The hairdressing industry in Sunnfjord is a stable but variable sector with 16 registered companies in 2025. There is a clear concentration of activity in Førde, where 13 of the 16 companies are located. In Sande in Sunnfjord, there are only two companies. The industry has been marked by fluctuations in sales and number of employees over time, with a decline in the number of employees from 70 in 2016 to 52 in 2025. Sales have also shown variations, with a peak of 37.6 million NOK in 2019 and a decline to 32.7 million NOK in 2025. This shows that the industry has been affected by external factors such as the pandemic and economic fluctuations.

An important observation is that many companies have a high average gross profit margin (up to 1372%), but lower operating margins (4–10%). This indicates that costs related to operations and wages have been a challenge. Some companies also have negative EBITDA values, which may indicate economic challenges for some businesses.

Sales and Employees Over Time

• Sales: The industry had peak sales of 37.6 million NOK in 2019, but there has been a decline to 32.7 million NOK in 2025. The most significant decline occurred in 2020 (–8.7%), likely due to the pandemic.
• Employees: The number of employees has fallen from 70 in 2016 to 52 in 2025, with an average annual decline of 1.8%.

Yearly Development

Average Values

• Average EBITDA margin: 5%
• Average operating margin: 4%
• Average gross profit margin: 1235%

There are 16 registered companies in the hairdressing industry in Sunnfjord, with most (15) organized as AS. The most notable companies include:

• Staseleg As (Førde): Has an EBITDA margin of 20% and a high average income per employee (1.7 million NOK).
• Grow Frisør Og Barber As (Førde): Has a high sales growth of 25% and an EBITDA margin of 10%.
• Alise Kvammen As (Førde): Has a negative EBITDA (–1%) and a low income per employee (582,200 NOK).
• Trendy Frisør As (Førde): Has a negative EBITDA margin of –26% and a sales decline of –7%.

Organizational Form

• AS: 15 companies, 56 employees, 33.3 million NOK in operating income, 5% EBITDA margin.
• ENK: 1 company (Adisalaam Saeed Mohammed), 0 employees, 0 sales.

Critical Observations

• 4 of the 16 companies have negative EBITDA or operating profit.
• 3 companies have 0 sales and 0 employees (Elvis Frisør Førde As, Adisalaam Saeed Mohammed, Ams Drift As).

Førde (13 companies, 51 employees):

• Sales: 29.7 million NOK
• Operating income per employee: 667,500 NOK
• EBITDA margin: 5%
• Average sales growth: 5%
• Highest EBITDA: Grow Frisør Og Barber As (81,900 NOK per employee)

Sande I Sunnfjord (2 companies, 5 employees):

• Sales: 3.5 million NOK
• Operating income per employee: 774,000 NOK
• EBITDA margin: 10%
• Highest EBITDA: Folk Frisør As (33,900 NOK per employee)

Comparison

• Førde has 13 times more companies than Sande I Sunnfjord.
• Sande I Sunnfjord has a higher average EBITDA margin (10% vs. 5% in Førde).
• Førde has a higher average sales growth (5% vs. 10% in Sande I Sunnfjord).

Bankruptcies and Economic Challenges

• No bankruptcies are registered in the hairdressing industry in Sunnfjord.
• 4 companies have negative EBITDA or operating profit:
• Alise Kvammen As (–1% EBITDA margin)
• Trendy Frisør As (–26% EBITDA margin)
• Salong Karisma Førde As (0% EBITDA margin)
• Centrum Salong As (0% EBITDA margin)

Critical Observations

• 3 companies have 0 sales and 0 employees (Elvis Frisør Førde As, Adisalaam Saeed Mohammed, Ams Drift As).
• 2 companies have negative operating profit (Alise Kvammen As, Salong Karisma Førde As).
• 3 companies have negative EBITDA (Alise Kvammen As, Trendy Frisør As, Centrum Salong As).

Development for Entrepreneurs

Opportunities and Challenges

• Stable Markets: Førde has a stable business environment with 13 companies and 51 employees, indicating a good establishment environment.
• High Income per Employee: The average operating income per employee in Førde is 667,500 NOK, which can be attractive for entrepreneurs.
• Competitive Companies: There are several companies with high EBITDA margins (e.g., Staseleg As with 20%) that can provide inspiration.

Challenges

• Low EBITDA Margin: The average EBITDA margin is 5%, which can be a challenge for new companies.
• Negative EBITDA: 4 companies have negative EBITDA or operating profit, showing that there may be economic challenges.
• Competitiveness: There are 16 companies in the industry, which can make it difficult to establish oneself.

Recommendation

• Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Førde, where there are more companies and higher average income per employee.
• It is important to analyze competitors and develop a differentiated offer policy.
• SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and analyze market prospects in Sunnfjord.

Development in Broader Industry (Hair Salon)

Comparison with the Hair Salon Industry

• Number of Companies: 58 companies in the hair salon industry vs. 34 companies in the hairdressing industry.
• Sales: The hair salon industry had 34.6 million NOK in sales in 2025 vs. 32.7 million NOK in the hairdressing industry.
• Employees: The hair salon industry had 63 employees in 2025 vs. 52 employees in the hairdressing industry.

Peer Companies in the Hair Salon Industry

• Klinique 1 As (Førde): 1.9 million NOK in sales, 1 employee, 32,000 NOK EBITDA.
• Ams Drift As (Førde): 0 sales, 2 employees, 0 EBITDA.
• Beauty By Grimeland (Førde): 0 sales, 0 employees, 0 EBITDA.
• Dmc Innovation As (Førde): 0 sales, 0 employees, 0 EBITDA.
• Eide Terapi Og Velvære (Naustdal): 0 sales, 0 employees, 0 EBITDA.

Conclusion

• The hair salon industry has more companies and higher sales than the hairdressing industry.
• There are more companies in the hair salon industry with 0 sales and 0 employees, which may indicate a more variable sector.
• Entrepreneurs should consider analyzing both the hairdressing and hair salon industries to find the most suitable sector for their business model.

The hairdressing industry in Sunnfjord is a stable but variable sector with 16 companies and 52 employees in 2025. There is a clear concentration of activity in Førde, where there are 13 companies and 51 employees. The industry has been marked by fluctuations in sales and number of employees over time, with a decline in the number of employees from 70 in 2016 to 52 in 2025. Sales have also shown variations, with a peak of 37.6 million NOK in 2019 and a decline to 32.7 million NOK in 2025.

For entrepreneurs, it may be possible to establish themselves in Førde, where there are more companies and higher average income per employee. It is important to analyze competitors and develop a differentiated offer policy. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and analyze market prospects in Sunnfjord.