Nearly half of all tanning businesses say they have been busier this January than they were the same month a year ago, according to a SmartTan.com poll conducted this week.

According to the poll, 49 percent of salons say their business performance in January 2012 was busier than 2011. One third of respondents reported that the month was slower, while just less than 1 in 5 — 18 percent — reported no change. The directional results are in line with other polls conducted recently.

“Although slower than many would like, the economy is improving, and in certain pockets in the country salon leaders are experiencing growth either by increasing customer counts or by providing more services to customers,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “There are some stores doing more with less, and there are other stores that are simply out-competing competition in their markets. There are many models working right now.”