Business trends
Insider NAILS
MONSOON
September brought a mixed picture for nail businesses, with just over half (51%) reporting treatment business on par with September 2025 and 17% achieving year-on-year growth. While 32% experienced a decline, nail professionals still carried out an average of 26 treatments per week, demonstrating continued demand for professional nail services.
Classic gel polish manicures are expected to lead Christmas demand, with 67% of nail professionals predicting they will be their most popular service, while 33% are backing builder gel and BIAB treatments.
With festive nail art likely to feature on appointment menus, pricing remains an important consideration. Encouragingly, 78% of nail professionals already charge extra for intricate or time-consuming designs, recognising the additional skill and resources involved.
However, 39% say clients expecting complex nail art at standard manicure prices is their biggest challenge, while 32% struggle to allocate sufficient appointment time and 29% cite material costs.
Month in numbers
26 nail treatments performed on average per week in September
78% charge extra for intricate or time-consuming nail art
On the spot
Which nail service do you expect to be most popular with clients during the festive season?
1. Classic gel polish manicures (67%)
2. Builder gel and BIAB treatments (33%)
What is the biggest challenge you face when offering nail art services?
1. Clients expecting complex designs at standard manicure prices (39%)
2. Finding enough appointment time for intricate designs (32%)
3. Covering the cost of specialist products and materials (29%)