Is The Tanning Salon Industry Over Saturated?

BigLeo · 03-07-2005, 09:52 PM

I did some arithmetic over the weekend and came up with the following numbers:

2003 1990

US Population 293,000,000 249,000,000
Tanning Percent 10% 10%
Est No Tanners 29,300,000 24,900,000
Est No Salons 25,000 15,000
Avg Cust/Salon 1,172 1,659
Pop in Prime
Tanning Age 147,290,000 125,000,000
Market Penetration 19.9% 19.9%

Prime tanning age = 18 to 49 years
Numbers are from US Census
No of salons from ITA

It doesn't take a mathematical genius to see that the average tanning salon has a lot less customers today than it did 14 years ago.

Even with the addition of sunless tanning units, today's tanning salon has its work cut out for it. This is why it is so important that you not depend solely on tanning. You need to diversify so that you have customers year round.

Anybody have better numbers and want to argue the point, post it here.

Leo

GoldenImage · 03-07-2005, 10:12 PM

It is very Saturated .... It's the war of the Tanning Salons in 2005.... Only the Strong will survive..... IT SEEMS........ For example Salons doing $10 Mystic Session are killing themselves and others in the POCKET!!!! STUPID STUPID STUPID

DWhite6872 · 03-07-2005, 10:18 PM

10% is a number that people have thrown out, but I do not believe there is real data that supports that number. I think you can be in a market that has a much higher percentage of available tanning customers. If you add in sunless wouldn't the numbers go way up?

BigLeo · 03-08-2005, 10:05 PM

DWhite6872,

I tend to agree with you that there are geographic sections of the country with a higher percentage of tanners. I think the large metro markets have a higher concentration of individuals with the lifestyles that lean towards tanning. New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C. LA are good examples.

MJ · 03-08-2005, 11:38 PM

This industry is has many flaws which include...
It's over saturated, too many under educated salon owners fail to properly promote tanning in a positive light. Under rated and abused by the salon owners who are tan whores and devalue the industry as a whole. Salon owners are grossly under valued by the MFG's that do little to REALLY support salons. JMHO
The list could go on. :eyeroll:

How about we concentrate on how far we have come..
More and more Newbies proir to getting into eth industry are doing their homework first. And finding online to help research this industry before they buy.

An increase in public awareness on the benefits of Tanning is becoming more accepted by many Doctors and Scientist that study the positive effects of UV. Also notably less Anti Tan BS on and in the Media as of the past few years because of the increased support from these current studies.
So.....Stop whining change your lamps if you have not already...sell packages, lotion and while your at it educate a few tanners while you have their attention.

And it is Spring people smile...we have all slow to be b*tchy

TRTS · 03-09-2005, 05:23 AM

It is over saturated in our part of the country with owners who are clueless as to what they are doing. I am sincere in saying that. We are NOT a regulated state. Some(most)of the facilities providing tanning simply have NO clue as to what is in the best interest of the client. For example a styling salon nearby has 3 tanning units (antique I may add). They have you fill out absolutely NO paperwork. All you do is walk in give your name and they tell you which room. They determine NO exposure times. If the client wants to stay in for 30 minutes his/her first visit that is what they do. They provide NO eyewear and sell no eyewear. They clean NO beds. The client cleans the bed with who knows what solution. I have been told by clients that they have witnessed the cleanser low and the girls go to the sink and fill the bottle up without adding anything to it. So around here, yes, we are "over saturated" with those who only care about the "add-on" $$ they can bring in and have no clue or interest how to make a positive difference in this industry! We are in our 11th month and I have no regret in saying that 2 similiar businesses offering tanning have closed in the last six weeks. I wish those who are striving to make a difference in this industry (in a positive way) and have the best interest of the client in mind the best of luck and much success...to the rest...I will continue to take your clients and feel good about it...knowing that our efforts to provide OUR AREA with the best educated indoor tanning experience is what this industry should be all about

BigLeo · 03-10-2005, 11:38 AM

IRIS,

Looks like this salon down in Florida (I would name, but don't need more peeed off people) with the gum chewing teen at the counter who had no clue when I asked her if they furnished eyewear. I told her not to set the timer until after I climbed into the machine. A ten minute tanning session turned out to be 7 minutes, if that. This was a nice salon, great equipment, but the service angle was definitely missing. Where the **** was the owner?

Leo

clubtan1 · 03-13-2005, 07:19 PM

In my small town, I was doing 36,000 visits per year, 5 years ago. 04 we did 28,000 visits. Revenues have stayed about the same due to the introduction of higher end beds, a spray tan booth and a smoothie bar. Hey, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Wait, everyone is doing it!

TotalEclipse · 03-15-2005, 09:09 AM

Dallas seems to be booming with new tanning facilities. PBT is based out of the DFW area (I belive....feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!!! ), and it feels like they have the Starbucks mentality going on with the opening around every main corner. Smaller salons probably do have it harder here if they are anywhere near the bigger ones (PBT, Planet Tan, Planet Beach Tan, and now 2 Darque Tans as well).

Steve Underhill · 03-15-2005, 09:50 AM

It is my opinion that you are looking at these numbers the wrong way. First there is a big difference in a primary tanning salon and a florist with some tanning equipment. It is also important to understand that as an industry grows it is normal that the number of potential tanners per salon will decrease. The real problem is that most salon owners do not understand that it takes a lot less tanners to be successful than they typically have in their data base. You are also overlooking the baby boomers of which I am a part of that still tan. The amount of additional tanners from the ages of 49 to 60 is enormous. It would be a lot smarter to reevaluate how your salon is being operated and correct it instead of allowing new salon operators that have a plan come into your area and raise the bar for what tanners come to expect. Or a salon owner can sit back and complain that the industry is a saturated and slowly fail while the salons that have a plan are thriving and growing at a rapid rate. If you have 2,500 clients you have the potential to do $500,000 a year. Learn to maximize the spending of your client base. Also remember that as far as statistics go; if you have 2 tanning beds in the back of a gift store you are considered a tanning salon. As far as a tanner is concerned they would always rather tan at a primary tanning salon than at a secondary salon. These are my opinions and in no way should discredit your views. I strongly believe that we control our own success. The fact that most salons are operated without a solid plan would indicate that there is unlimited opportunity in this industry. Most salons are just taking up space and pose no threat to the success of a well prepared salon owner.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Lotion Confusion	kkbird	Lotion Buzz	9	01-10-2007 03:52 PM
More Anti-Tanning Propaganda	PeppermintPatty	Open Forum	4	04-25-2004 08:02 AM
Soakin Up The Rays: October 2001 Newsletter	Soakinuptherays	Open Forum	2	10-08-2001 07:20 AM

03-07-2005, 09:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigLeo Join Date: Jan 27 2005 Posts: 243 Rep Power: 4	I did some arithmetic over the weekend and came up with the following numbers: 2003 1990 US Population 293,000,000 249,000,000 Tanning Percent 10% 10% Est No Tanners 29,300,000 24,900,000 Est No Salons 25,000 15,000 Avg Cust/Salon 1,172 1,659 Pop in Prime Tanning Age 147,290,000 125,000,000 Market Penetration 19.9% 19.9% Prime tanning age = 18 to 49 years Numbers are from US Census No of salons from ITA It doesn't take a mathematical genius to see that the average tanning salon has a lot less customers today than it did 14 years ago. Even with the addition of sunless tanning units, today's tanning salon has its work cut out for it. This is why it is so important that you not depend solely on tanning. You need to diversify so that you have customers year round. Anybody have better numbers and want to argue the point, post it here. Leo

03-07-2005, 10:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
GoldenImage Join Date: May 10 2003 Posts: 43 Rep Power: 0	It is very Saturated .... It's the war of the Tanning Salons in 2005.... Only the Strong will survive..... IT SEEMS........ For example Salons doing $10 Mystic Session are killing themselves and others in the POCKET!!!! STUPID STUPID STUPID

03-07-2005, 10:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
DWhite6872 Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Apr 22 2004 Posts: 5,189 Rep Power: 0	10% is a number that people have thrown out, but I do not believe there is real data that supports that number. I think you can be in a market that has a much higher percentage of available tanning customers. If you add in sunless wouldn't the numbers go way up?

03-08-2005, 10:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
BigLeo Join Date: Jan 27 2005 Posts: 243 Rep Power: 4	DWhite6872, I tend to agree with you that there are geographic sections of the country with a higher percentage of tanners. I think the large metro markets have a higher concentration of individuals with the lifestyles that lean towards tanning. New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C. LA are good examples.

03-08-2005, 11:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
MJ Join Date: Jan 21 2002 Posts: 3,060 Rep Power: 8	This industry is has many flaws which include... It's over saturated, too many under educated salon owners fail to properly promote tanning in a positive light. Under rated and abused by the salon owners who are tan whores and devalue the industry as a whole. Salon owners are grossly under valued by the MFG's that do little to REALLY support salons. JMHO The list could go on. :eyeroll: How about we concentrate on how far we have come.. More and more Newbies proir to getting into eth industry are doing their homework first. And finding online to help research this industry before they buy. An increase in public awareness on the benefits of Tanning is becoming more accepted by many Doctors and Scientist that study the positive effects of UV. Also notably less Anti Tan BS on and in the Media as of the past few years because of the increased support from these current studies. So.....Stop whining change your lamps if you have not already...sell packages, lotion and while your at it educate a few tanners while you have their attention. And it is Spring people smile...we have all slow to be b*tchy

03-09-2005, 05:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
TRTS Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Apr 12 2004 Posts: 301 Rep Power: 0	It is over saturated in our part of the country with owners who are clueless as to what they are doing. I am sincere in saying that. We are NOT a regulated state. Some(most)of the facilities providing tanning simply have NO clue as to what is in the best interest of the client. For example a styling salon nearby has 3 tanning units (antique I may add). They have you fill out absolutely NO paperwork. All you do is walk in give your name and they tell you which room. They determine NO exposure times. If the client wants to stay in for 30 minutes his/her first visit that is what they do. They provide NO eyewear and sell no eyewear. They clean NO beds. The client cleans the bed with who knows what solution. I have been told by clients that they have witnessed the cleanser low and the girls go to the sink and fill the bottle up without adding anything to it. So around here, yes, we are "over saturated" with those who only care about the "add-on" $$ they can bring in and have no clue or interest how to make a positive difference in this industry! We are in our 11th month and I have no regret in saying that 2 similiar businesses offering tanning have closed in the last six weeks. I wish those who are striving to make a difference in this industry (in a positive way) and have the best interest of the client in mind the best of luck and much success...to the rest...I will continue to take your clients and feel good about it...knowing that our efforts to provide OUR AREA with the best educated indoor tanning experience is what this industry should be all about

03-10-2005, 11:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
BigLeo Join Date: Jan 27 2005 Posts: 243 Rep Power: 4	IRIS, Looks like this salon down in Florida (I would name, but don't need more peeed off people) with the gum chewing teen at the counter who had no clue when I asked her if they furnished eyewear. I told her not to set the timer until after I climbed into the machine. A ten minute tanning session turned out to be 7 minutes, if that. This was a nice salon, great equipment, but the service angle was definitely missing. Where the **** was the owner? Leo

03-13-2005, 07:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
clubtan1 Join Date: Jan 31 2005 Posts: 3,317 Rep Power: 42	In my small town, I was doing 36,000 visits per year, 5 years ago. 04 we did 28,000 visits. Revenues have stayed about the same due to the introduction of higher end beds, a spray tan booth and a smoothie bar. Hey, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Wait, everyone is doing it!

03-15-2005, 09:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
TotalEclipse Join Date: Dec 24 2004 Location: Dallas Age: 31 Posts: 621 Rep Power: 4	Dallas seems to be booming with new tanning facilities. PBT is based out of the DFW area (I belive....feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!!! ), and it feels like they have the Starbucks mentality going on with the opening around every main corner. Smaller salons probably do have it harder here if they are anywhere near the bigger ones (PBT, Planet Tan, Planet Beach Tan, and now 2 Darque Tans as well).

03-15-2005, 09:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
Steve Underhill Join Date: Apr 21 2004 Location: Frisco, TX Age: 57 Posts: 618 Rep Power: 5	It is my opinion that you are looking at these numbers the wrong way. First there is a big difference in a primary tanning salon and a florist with some tanning equipment. It is also important to understand that as an industry grows it is normal that the number of potential tanners per salon will decrease. The real problem is that most salon owners do not understand that it takes a lot less tanners to be successful than they typically have in their data base. You are also overlooking the baby boomers of which I am a part of that still tan. The amount of additional tanners from the ages of 49 to 60 is enormous. It would be a lot smarter to reevaluate how your salon is being operated and correct it instead of allowing new salon operators that have a plan come into your area and raise the bar for what tanners come to expect. Or a salon owner can sit back and complain that the industry is a saturated and slowly fail while the salons that have a plan are thriving and growing at a rapid rate. If you have 2,500 clients you have the potential to do $500,000 a year. Learn to maximize the spending of your client base. Also remember that as far as statistics go; if you have 2 tanning beds in the back of a gift store you are considered a tanning salon. As far as a tanner is concerned they would always rather tan at a primary tanning salon than at a secondary salon. These are my opinions and in no way should discredit your views. I strongly believe that we control our own success. The fact that most salons are operated without a solid plan would indicate that there is unlimited opportunity in this industry. Most salons are just taking up space and pose no threat to the success of a well prepared salon owner.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)