Insider nails

PRETTYLITTLETHING

May 2023 was a promising month for nail business owners, with 34% of respondents experiencing improved retail sales, demonstrating the value of quality nail products to clients. Quality treatments and products are more important to clients than ever before, as they become more aware of and interested in ingredients and formulations in relation to nail health. One trend that has emerged among clients and consumer media regarding nail health is “nail cycling”, where the client takes breaks between enhancements – read more about it on page 80.

Pricing strategy is always a topic that’s up for debate, and opinions on how to set prices for nail art vary, with 47% of you including it in the treatment price, 33% basing it on design intricacy, and 20% charging per nail. Meanwhile, respondents’ clients seek nail services most commonly for weddings or celebrations (42%).

On the spots

How do you charge for nail art?

1. Included in the treatment price (47%)

2. Dependent on intricacy level of design (33%)

3. Per nail (20%)

38% employ techs trained in acrylic nails

What’s the most common reason clients come to get their nails done?

1. Wedding or other big celebration (42%)

2. Regular maintenance (34%)

3. Holiday (16%) 4. Birthday (8%)

Month in numbers

How did nail treatment business in May 2023 compare with May 2022?

How did nail retail business in May 2023 compare with May 2022?

23 nail treatments performed on average per week in May

METHODOLOGY Insider is compiled from a monthly survey of spas and beauty salons. The people who participated represent a cross-section of the industry and were polled by email and social media from June 1 to June 12, regarding business for the month to May 31. Nail business for the Insider Nails page was calculated from data provided by salons that offer nail services among other treatments. The figures given represent the average score for each answer. Brands are ranked when mentioned by several respondents.