In a finding more optimistic than any survey conducted in the past 12 months, nearly eight out of every 10 salon owners say their businesses’ first quarter results in 2009 met or exceeded expectations, according to a SmartTan.com poll conducted in early April.

According to the poll, 57 percent of businesses say business performance exceeded expectations, another 22 percent said results met expectations and just 21 percent said business has fallen short of expectations. The results are not scientific, but are indicative of growing optimism in the tanning market this year.

“These results are following the pattern we’re seeing, from salons reporting sales increases to lotion manufacturers and distributors reporting cautiously optimistic numbers,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “It would appear this is yet another sign that the industry’s strongest tanning businesses are finding ways to grow, even in a challenging retail economy.”

SmartTan.com polls over the past year have indicated that roughly a third of salons are reporting sales increases, a third are holding the line and a third are seeing declines – a pace that puts indoor tanning ahead of many industries today. The so-called “Lipstick Effect” suggests that beauty-based industries selling affordable products and services often see sales increases during recessions – unlike many other markets.