Nearly 7 of 10 indoor tanning businesses reported stronger sales for the first quarter of 2012 than the same quarter last year according to a SmartTan.com poll conducted in April — another sign that the retail economy is continuing to gain momentum in many markets.

According to the SmartTan.com poll, 69 percent say their business performance in the first quarter of the year was stronger than 2011, with just 20 percent reporting weaker performance. About 10 percent reported no change.

That’s an increase in the “better than 2011” segment from previous polls. In early March, 58 percent said the first two months of 2012 were stronger than 2011.

“More and more in the tanning market are finding ways to improve,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “We are encouraged to see stronger businesses in our industry positioned to make moves as the economy continues to improve.”