Business trends
Insider NAILS
JOE BROWNS
August remained relatively resilient for nail businesses, with figures suggesting just over half (53%) performed better than in August 2025. A further 26% maintained last year’s treatment business, while 21% experienced a decline. Nail professionals carried out an average of 35 treatments per week, representing a slight easing from July’s busy summer period.
Product ingredients and safety were firmly in the spotlight during August as new rules affecting TPO came into effect. 48% of nail businesses had already replaced any affected products, while 28% were gradually moving over to alternatives. A further 20% planned to use legally acquired existing stock where permitted before replacing it, while only 4% had made no changes.
When choosing professional nail brands, performance and longevity remains the leading consideration, cited by 40%, although ingredient formulation and safety follows closely at 34%. Price and profitability per service accounts for 16%, while 10% place the greatest importance on brand education and technical support.
Month in numbers
How did nail treatment business in August 2026 compare with August 2025?
How did nail retail business in August 2026 compare with August 2025?
35 nail treatments performed on average per week in August
45% say clients have asked about the safety or ingredients of professional nail products in the past year
On the spot
Following the recent changes to TPO regulations, what best describes nail businesses’ approach to affected products?
1. Have already replaced all TPO products (48%)
2. Gradually replacing affected products (28%)
3. Using legally acquired existing stock as permitted before replacing (20%)
4. Have not made any changes (4%)
What matters most when choosing a professional nail brand?
1. Product performance and longevity (40%)
2. Ingredient formulation and safety (34%)
3. Price and profitability per service (16%)
4. Brand education and technical support (10%)