More than half of tanning businesses say November was less-busy as compared to 2009, according to the results of a SmartTan.com poll conducted in the last two weeks.

The upside of the poll: Nearly 4 out of 10 said their businesses were busier this year.

According to the poll, 54 percent said their businesses were less-busy as compared with last year. The remaining 46 percent said business was as busy or busier. Of that group, 29 percent said business was busier this year.

“The professional sunbed market continues to be split between those who are finding ways to get clients in the doors and those who are struggling,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “While we are seeing and hearing optimism in most markets, there’s no doubt that many are continuing to struggle. It’s not rocket science that most every retail industry is facing this kind of picture right now.”