Insider Nails

RIVER ISLAND

May 2026 delivered a mixed but steady picture for nail businesses, with nearly half (48%) reporting treatment performance in line with May 2025 and 11% seeing growth. While 41% experienced a softer month, average output of 27 treatments per week shows that core demand remains consistent.

Rising costs are clearly influencing business decisions, with the vast majority (78%) saying they have slightly simplified their service menu over the past year. This suggests a wider shift towards streamlining offerings, focusing on efficiency, and prioritising treatments that deliver both client satisfaction and sustainable margins.

Digital pressure also remains a defining theme for the sector. Nearly three-quarters of nail techs feel under pressure to constantly create social media content to attract clients, reflecting how heavily visibility now depends on online presence. At the same time, viral nail trends are creating operational strain, with two-thirds saying they are often too time-consuming to replicate profitably.

Month in numbers

How did nail treatment business in May 2026 compare with May 2025

How did nail retail business in May 2026 compare with May 2025?

27 nail treatments performed on average per week in May

73% feel pressure to constantly create content for social media to attract clients

On the spot

Have rising costs caused you to simplify your nail service menu in the past year?

1. Slightly (78%)

2. Yes, significantly (13%) 4. No (9%)

What is your biggest frustration with viral nail trends?

1. Trends are too time-consuming to replicate profitably (67%)

2. Clients expect identical results (18%)

3. Products needed are expensive or hard to source (15%)