Setting up my own sunbed shop

[doyle369]

Me and a friend both want to start up a Sun Bed shop.

There is one in Exeter where we live, but its abit out of the way for some people. So we thought the ideal place would be in town center.

We are both in full time jobs. I work at Apple and my friend works at david lloyd, but we want a change.

My friend uses the sunbeds alot and they are popular. Alot of our friends use them aswel.

We don't have a clue where to start tho. My mum said she will lend me the money, but how much are we looking at £30,000?


Sorry that this is abit brief, but any help or advice really would be appreciated

Thanks

 

[That Guy]

We used to have loads where I am but they have all closed down now.

Best thing to start with is survey local people to see if they would use it.

Just my personal opinion

 

[Beachcomber]

With alot of bad Pr surrounding sun beds, maybe look at isolation tanks instead. I believe they will be the next big thing.

 

[ThePublisher]

We had one start up in our small town. Lady spent £80K fitting it out with sunbeds and vibration training equipment. Went bankrupt in about 18 months. Mind you she had a poor location, away from the high street and above a furniture shop and never had enough money to be able to spend on advertising it.

 

[businessfunding]

2 things to get your teeth into

Market research & cost analysis.

Cost analysis is daunting but very necessary. ance you start, all sorts of things will come into your mind, so the important thing is to put something (anything!) on paper.

Just a few pointers for pre start costs.

- Sunbeds
- Fit-out
- EPOS
- Shopfront
- Advertising
- Insurance
- rent deposit / advance
- Staff / training

It is very good of your Mum to lend you the monney, but it is still a loan and repayment should form part of your projections.

 

I suspect the market is burnt out.:redface:

To much bad publicity.

Earl

 

[sla3]

Hasn't fake tan taken the glow out of the sunbed market? Quicker and cheaper and has that lovely orange-ness to it .....

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Given the OP's track record,it will be something else next week.

 

[gr9ce]

hmm think cancer meets big fat gypsy wedding...not a good look nor safe investment haven right now.

how about a tattoo removal clinic?

 

[JDX_John]

With alot of bad Pr surrounding sun beds...

It'd be like starting a company making tapes after CD-Rs came out.

 

[bfme]

Hello

I would recommend to research the market you want to enter.
To do so, look for companies that offer similar types of services. Are they offering it as single products or not. If yes, find out about their business models and see how they get their clients, how long have been operating, what is their margin i.e. are they profitable or just surviving.
Google, network and get more advice from people who are working in this industry already.

Hope this helps
Regards,
BFME

 

[bfme]

Hello

Do research and see if there are businesses that offer similar types of services. If there are, then look into their business, sse how they get their customers, how much they charge, what is the profitability.
Then you can work out a plan or rather decide what is the next step for you.

Hope this helps,
BFME

 

[90DC]

I must agree with others on the view that the market is as good as dead. Bad publicity got there before you did, I wouldn't touch a sunbed business with a bargepole.

There's one in the Broadmarsh Centre in Nottingham and the sunbeds are always open (Nobody using them). They have some other ridiculous equipment in there, like massage chairs too, but it tends to be empty. Looks like they spent tens of thousands on the shop fit and equipment, but without speculating, I'd suggest that the business is in trouble based on the fact that the staff have to resort to waving flyers in front of the faces of passers by outside the unit.

 

[JDX_John]

I however think that there is a great opportunity for setting up something to fill the hole left by sunbeds... spray tans or maybe something even newer.

You might even be able to buy a cheap sunbed shop as they are failing

 

[ronduff]

The criticism of sunbeds is justified.

Partly thru poor maintenance ie, the tubes should be changed after a certain period, but rarely are.

The start-up costs and the running costs can also be a factor as to why these businesses don't survive. And I would imagine insurance would not be cheap, and if it is, check the small-print..

And if this doesn't persuade you, watch the episode where Del Boy messes with a timer on one of them,, exaggerated I know,, but there was a message of what can occur when one of these sunbeds goes wrong.

If you have spare cash, look at purchasing a property, and if someone come along with a sunbed business,, don't rent it to them without securities in place, because it will fail.

 

[90DC]

And if this doesn't persuade you, watch the episode where Del Boy messes with a timer on one of them,, exaggerated I know,, but there was a message of what can occur when one of these sunbeds goes wrong.

Alternatively, one of the Final Destination films has a scene where two women are burnt alive. American, I know, but it's a bit off putting.

 

[Laurenpears]

I myself, am a sunbed user.
Bad for health etc etc but so is smoking and drinking!
i Use my local tanning centre twice a week, and as its the only one in town their business is always booming!
They change their tubes and replace them with the best money can buy, and its always done often so customers tend to always be happy when theyve paid a visit!
Its cheaply priced aswell.
They also offer spray tans and have a small range of beauty treatments.

 

[90DC]

I myself, am a sunbed user.
Bad for health etc etc but so is smoking and drinking!
i Use my local tanning centre twice a week, and as its the only one in town their business is always booming!
They change their tubes and replace them with the best money can buy, and its always done often so customers tend to always be happy when theyve paid a visit!
Its cheaply priced aswell.
They also offer spray tans and have a small range of beauty treatments.

Do you live in Mansfield or somewhere near there?

 

[Laurenpears]

Do you live in Mansfield or somewhere near there?

Yes!
I live in kirkby in ashfield and their Tanning Centre is brilliant!
Best sunbeds, best tubes, great customer service, freebies and incentives!

 

[DaveSUK]

Since the media coverage of the ill effects of sunbed use started, the tanning salon business has seen a rapid decline, they where at one point very popular. Directly oposite my North Manchester shop there is a sunbed shop that has had 3 owners of the last year or so, next door to south Manchester a sunbed shop opened and close within 6 months so I am not sure how successful a sunbed shop would be now (they where hugely popular at one point)

If you are determine to open a tanning sallon, do some thing different, don't just pin all your hopes on tanning, get a property that can be sub divided, you can offer tanning and if qualified other appropriate services, beauty, hair nails ect, if you or your friend are not qualified rent space within your premises to someone who is.

I do know you can find suppliers of sunbeds on a profit share basis if you want to keep your costs down.

 

[PrestonLad]

Alternatively, one of the Final Destination films has a scene where two women are burnt alive. American, I know, but it's a bit off putting.

I'd add my voice to those saying be very very wary of moving into this business.. and when you do your market research, then for goodness sake BE OBJECTIVE. Don't do the old trick of believing the good bits and ignoring messages that you don't want to hear!

Incidentally, I'm new on this forum... and intrigued why on earth anyone would "thank" 90DC for the post I quoted! Absolutely nothing against 90DC.... I like it when people inject a bit of variety or humour... but I'd expect the thanks system to be used for sound business advice, or sharing of some useful anecdote. :|