Nail Industry Trends 2016 Nailpro Essentials issue. I just finished studying the Nailpro survey for 2016 and there are some numbers and trends that jumped out at me. Be sure to read the entire issue, at the same time here are some of the key points as I see them. Overall the nail industry is strong and at the same time it is changing. To capitalize on the growth nail techs and nail salons/departments need to evaluate how these changes can be leveraged in the business to grow. First the independents accounted for 60% of the respondents in this survey and 34% were owners or employees. 6% were others….okay what ever that means. The survey showed independents were independent because they felt they could make more money, set their own schedules, and have more control over their time and schedules. At MIKAL salons have surveyed clients and one of the big complaints about independents is that they don’t keep a set schedule and tend to move appointments to accommodate personal scheduling needs. Interesting…. Income showed 69% of independents earn under $550 a week. That tends to show that unless you are well established with a large client base being an independent to make more money is not realized. The BIG FOUR in services are natural manicure 92% provide and charge $20 booking 34 minutes, Pedicure 89% provide and charge $33 booking 48 minutes, Nail art 84% provide and soak-off gel/gel polish 83% at $32 booking 55 minutes. The dollars per hour do not seem to correspond with the services times booked. Check your service times and make sure the time booked earns the dollars per hour desired. Add-ons are a great way to increase the client ticket and satisfaction level (who does not like a paraffin treatments?) The average prices for paraffin $11, nail strengthener $10, anti-fungal $14 and callus softener $13. Are you taking advantage of these up sell opportunities and have them in your booking script and as a pop-up recommendation on your on-line booking? The Customer Service portion of the survey was interesting. The techs complained about guests bringing companions, cell phone use, and lateness. The clients complained about the prices, waiting for service, sanitation and injury to the nails. A survey buy nail techs or salons to the clients using SurveyMonkey.com with questions on these topics would help each tech/salon concentrate on improving the client experience. Overall the information is interesting and can be used to help highlight areas to look at in the business. Fred Dengler CEO MIKAL Corporation fredd@mikal.com 800-448-5420