with gloomy weather, tanning centers were full in spring

While spring 2024 was marked by very rainy weather, certain sectors were able to do well. Among them, tanning centers.

The sunny days have finally arrived all over France and despite a very grey spring, some people are still sporting a beautiful tan. The reason: they went (discreetly for some) to the tanning centres. And the weather in the sector seems to be looking good: despite inflation, this well-being sector saw its attendance increase in May and June 2024.

Thus, in the month of May and in the month of June, “we are seeing a fairly clear increase in attendance at our centres”, says Hervé Corlay, director of the Point Soleil network. An increase that varies depending on the region, “but we can say on average 7%” on the national territory, with variable increases locally “from 2% to 18%” in its network.

The clientele “seems to need a little light and sun”, explains the director. This is also confirmed by Régine Ferrere, president of the National Confederation of Perfumery Aesthetics (CNEP): “People need sun, they need to have light and it does them good for morale” to go to a tanning center.

“When people are not in good spirits, we are a positive adjustment variable.”

Régine Ferrere, president of the CNEP

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However, according to the professional, “It’s not just for tanning. It’s above all for being enveloped in light, in warmth. Because it’s been very cold and the body really needs it”she specifies.

If the “gloomy weather” effect has further increased attendance at UV cabins, the centers are generally multi-activity. This is the case of the Point Soleil network which also offers aquabike, sauna and even body and facial treatments, for example. These treatments were also more popular with customers in spring 2024.

For Hervé Corlay, it is not a question of “pure weather effect”, but “during the period, there are people who need to feel good because the news is a little anxiety-provoking” justifies the director.

Régine Ferrere, president of the CNEP, confirms again: “The well-being factor has evolved enormously since Covid. People were deprived of it and since then, they have come back to us with happiness”. Above the “little pleasure“that we grant ourselves, it is also the service rendered which seduces according to the president of the employers’ organization, “Coming to us means being able to meet a specialist, someone who will advise you” in one of the 800 tanning points listed by the National Confederation of Perfumery Aesthetics in France.