Nearly three out of 10 tanning business owners are not satisfied with the performance of the equipment in their tanning salons, and many are looking to upgrade their equipment in the next 12 months, according to the results of two SmartTan.com polls conducted this summer.

A SmartTan.com poll conducted last week suggested that 72 percent of tanning business owners are satisfied with their equipment, but 28 percent were not. “That’s probably a good number,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “It suggests that businesses are always looking for ways to improve. Smart businesses should be looking to improve their equipment mix on a regular basis – being careful not to over-spend, but still investing back into their businesses.”

A SmartTan.com poll conducted in late July showed that 61 percent of tanning businesses intend to purchase new tanning equipment in the next 12 months. While the results are not scientific, they are directional – indicating that businesses whose finances are in order are planning to invest back into equipment in the coming year.

“Again, we think the major players in the tanning retail market today are in much better position to enjoy responsible, sustained growth than in the boom-era earlier this decade,” Levy said. “The economy has been a speed-bump for many this year, but one-third of the market is still telling us their numbers are up from 2007, while one-third say they’ve maintained business levels in the past year. That’s healthy compared to most other markets today.”