With economic indicators starting to point in the right direction in parts of North America, a SmartTan.com poll conducted in December gives a split-message on the overall retail environment, with just under half of salons saying that their retail conditions are getting better.

Forty-six percent of salon owners in the poll say the retail economy in their community is improving. The other 54 percent do not believe the economy in their area is getting better yet.

“A year ago, it would have been considered ‘good’ if half of those surveyed thought the economy in their area was improving,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “The national signs suggest that things will gradually keep getting better. The leading indicators are showing strength. Employment generally doesn’t turn around until other things get stronger, and the other things are getting stronger.”