According to a recent SmartTan.com poll, just under 40 percent of indoor tanning businesses sell jewelry, handbags, and/or other accessories.

Much like diversifying by offering spa and other services, selling accessories and other retail products can help steady your cash flow throughout the year. And at its best, offering these retail products can bring in additional customers that otherwise would not come to your business. You may get the chance to impress a regular customer of a competitor or even convince someone who’s never considered tanning to give it a try after they stop by to check out your retail products.

Sunglasses, beachwear, jewelry, and handbags are some of the items that are often featured in tanning businesses, but anything that fits with your salon’s brand and appeals to your target customer may be a worthwhile option.

Tanning is a great business to be in, and diversifying your menu doesn’t change that. We’re not talking about hiding your UV beds in the back and turning into a store. But it is a reality that some salon owners – maybe even your competition – are gaining credibility and increasing their market share by offering something that appeals to a wider client base.