What to Sell at a Tanning Salon: Boost Revenue with the Right Retail

Offering tanning services is only one part of running a successful salon. Retail sales are a powerful way to increase your revenue, support your client’s tanning results, and build brand loyalty.

Whether your salon specializes in UV tanning beds or sunless tanning methods like spray or airbrush tans, the right products can enhance your bottom line.

Here’s what to sell at your tanning salon, based on the service type.

Best Retail Products for UV Tanning Salons

UV tanning salons use sunbeds or booths to give clients a bronzed look using ultraviolet light, so the emphasis is on skin protection, hydration, and tanning enhancements.

Best Products to Sell:

• Indoor Tanning Lotions: Specially formulated to accelerate and deepen color without blocking UV rays. Choose from bronzers, intensifiers, and tingle lotions depending on your clients’ interests.
• Moisturizers with Tan Extenders: Dry skin fades faster. Offer hydrating lotions with ingredients like hemp seed oil to extend the tan.
• Lip Balm with SPF: The lips are sensitive to UV rays. A moisturizing balm with SPF is a thoughtful (and profitable) add-on you can leave right next to your register.
• Protective Eyewear: This is a safety essential and an easy upsell for tanning bed salons in case they forget theirs. While you may offer reusable sets for free, your clients might appreciate having their own personal protective eyewear.
• Post-Tan Cooling Gels: This helps soothe skin after their treatments and can be a nice impulse purchase.

Retail Products for Sunless Tanning Salons

Sunless tanning salons use spray tanning or airbrush techniques to achieve a golden glow without UV exposure. These services require more emphasis on prep and aftercare to prevent uneven fading or blotchiness.

Spray tans deliver instant results, so your retail strategy should focus on prep and aftercare to avoid streaking, fading, or blotchiness.

Best Products to Sell:

• Oil Free Exfoliating Scrubs & Mitts: Prep is everything when it comes to a spray tan. Offer scrubs or mitts that help remove dead skin cells without leaving an oily residue.
• pH Balancing Sprays: Great for pre-tan preparation. These balance the skin pH to ensure even absorption. This can also be offered in an exfoliating glove to help prep the skin for a tanning treatment.
• Self-Tanning Mousse or Drops: Offer a line of self-tanners with multiple shade options to match your in-studio results for a range of clients. This is also a great backup solution for clients who want to touch up any areas that fade faster.
• Tan Extending Lotions & Mists: Products that contain a small amount of DHA (the active ingredient in sunless tanning solution) help prolong spray tans between visits.
• Sulfate-Free Body Wash/Soap: Harsh soaps can strip a tan. Stock gentle, tan-safe cleansers that clients can use post-tan.
• Car seat or Pillowcase Covers: Using a silky protector for the car seats or bed sheets will be mutually beneficial for you and the client.

Universal Add-On Products for Any Tanning Salon

No matter your tanning service type, these retail items are always a hit:

• Tanning Packages & Gift Cards – Great for holidays, birthdays, or bridal season. These keep current clients coming back and introduce new clients from word-of-mouth referrals!
• Tanning-Friendly Skincare Kits – Curated bundles that pair perfectly with your services.
• Branded Merchandise – Think water bottles, tote bags, towels, or hats with your salon’s logo. If clients arrive unprepared for their spray tan without loose clothing, offer branded, oversized tees or dresses that make great upsells during a time of need.
• Hydration Boosters – Coconut water, collagen drinks, or hyaluronic supplements to support glowing skin from the inside out.

How to Sell Retail Without the Hard Sell

Clients want to know how to make their tan last. And they trust you for guidance and education. Don’t be afraid to educate your clients as the first step to upselling retail. Try this:

• Offer sample sizes or bundle discounts to encourage larger purchases.
• Add product recommendations to appointment confirmations and reminder texts.
• Display retail near your front desk or mirror stations.
• Use email marketing tools, like Vagaro, to promote new product arrivals or monthly specials.
• Create educational content on Instagram and TikTok to drive curiosity and foot traffic.
• Use Vagaro to automate retail promos and track inventory in real time.

Glow On and Grow Your Business

With the right mix of retail products, your tanning salon can go beyond just tanning services and start generating serious passive income. No matter what type of tanning salon you manage, make sure your retail shelf and inventory is just as radiant as your results.

Need help organizing your inventory or setting up product promos? Vagaro’s all-in-one salon software makes it easy to manage retail, set up marketing campaigns, and track what’s selling best. Start a free trial today to see how you can grow your tanning business with retail, all in one place!