A Year Of Consolidation

This issue contains our annual State Of The Industry Report, an examination of the overall well-being of the U.S. indoor tanning industry, as well as a comprehensive analysis of the past season with regard to how it will affect the upcoming season.

Last year’s report, titled “An Industry At A Crossroads, Where Is The Tanning Industry Heading?”, outlined why the 2007 season would be pivotal for everyone in the industry—from salon owners to manufacturers, distributors to allied companies—and by all accounts, that forecast was right on target.

Just as in 2006, constant variables like the economy, weather, gas prices and war continued to influence the direction of the industry in 2007. However, this year’s report zeroes in on two other important variables we began to notice over the past few years—consolidation within the indoor tanning industry and increased anti-tanning legislation aimed at hurting the welfare of this business.

Turn to page 38 to find out more about the changing face of indoor tanning and how the industry as a whole needs to plan for the future and find innovative ways to cater to the needs of current and future customers.

Speaking of the future, survival in any industry is based on forming quality partnerships with your customers and your suppliers. On page 45 you will find our special section, “Annual Distributor Issue: A Guide To Working With A Distributor”. This section provides insight into why a good distributor is a tanning salon owner’s lifeline to products, equipment and supplies and a valuable resource in regard to marketing support and customer service.

However, because no two distributors are alike—each has different strengths—it is up to the salon owner to find the company that best fits the salon’s needs. To get an insider look at a variety of distributors’ core values, check out the “Distributor Roundtable: A Q&A With Industry Powerhouses”. This section includes some of the most commonly asked questions regarding choosing a distributor and what a distributor brings to the table, answered by the distributors themselves, followed by a mini buyer’s guide of industry distributors.

Special thanks goes to AJ’s Tanning Sales & Service, American Sun Systems, Inc., Kelsun Distributors and Ryco Tan Supply for their sponsorship of this educational piece, which also will be available as an eBook on www.lookingfit.com. 

Finally, this month marks the beginning of our ITA Tanning World Expo coverage. The largest trade event for the U.S. indoor tanning industry will be held Oct. 11-14 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. Turn to page 58 for a list of expo exhibitors and their contact information, which is current as of press time. Look for more updates and the ever-popular New Product Pavilion in the October issue.

See you next month, 

Judie Bizzozero 
Group Editorial Director