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Spa Business opinion
Trump's trading impact

A new study reveals the effect of US trade tariffs on the global spa industry


After speaking with numerous people from multiple sectors within the spa industry, it became clear that many were concerned about the new US trade tariffs that were introduced on 2 April to address the country's trade deficit.

The spa market has been trying to understand how best to deal with the changes, including a 10 per cent import levy to the US and steep country-specific duties. Therefore, I decided to conduct a global survey, primarily to quantify the current impact and gather strategies being used already, which could be shared with the wider industry to help anyone else negatively affected.

The awareness of this information, published in the report Impact of US Tariffs on the Spa Industry, will bring more confidence to those dealing with negative impacts, as well as employees who worry about their job security. It's good to note 53 per cent of survey respondents stated the new tariffs were unlikely to change the number of employees in the business this year.

Background
The spa and wellness industry is facing rising costs and uncertain supply chains as a result of the economic turbulence.
Many spas in the US rely on imported equipment, products and other supplies, which are now subject to the tariffs, while suppliers based outside the US face logistics complications, inflated export costs and must meet other changing trade requirements. The threats of squeezed margins, increased prices for consumers and disrupted service delivery loom as firms adapt to the turbulence.

Methodology
The global online survey was completed by 83 respondents, with the sample including operators and suppliers – 26 per cent from the Americas (22 people), 49 per cent from Asia Pacific (41 people), 19 per cent from Europe (16 people) and 7 per cent from the Middle East and Africa (6 people)*.

Given 26 per cent of respondents were unsure of the impacts, some suggesting it was too early to know, it may be interesting to conduct a follow up survey towards the end of the year to share updates. (*NB, numbers have been rounded)

Find out more
The report, which can be purchased from www.intelligentspas.com for US$30 (€26, £22), goes into detail on topics including specific impacts on the industry, the significance of these changes and strategies to mitigate the effects.
Key stats (sample = 83)

28 per cent of all survey respondents globally stated they are being negatively impacted by the new tariffs

72 per cent of all survey respondents globally say they have not yet been negatively impacted

32 per cent of those who stated they are not being negatively impacted have already changed their financial forecasts and budgets

47 per cent of those who sell products and/or services to the Americas said they’ve experienced negative impacts

45 per cent of respondents located in the US said they’re being negatively affected, versus 29 per cent of those located in the Asia Pacific region

8 per cent of respondents from Europe, Africa and the Middle East stated they’re being negatively impacted

PHOTO: Intelligent Spas

"The awareness of this information will bring more confidence to those dealing with negative impacts" – Julie Garrow, MD, Intelligent Spas

92 per cent of EMEA respondents have not been impacted
92 per cent of EMEA respondents have not been impacted / PHOTO: Shutterstock/ yuri a peopleimages.com
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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
Spa Business opinion
Trump's trading impact

A new study reveals the effect of US trade tariffs on the global spa industry


After speaking with numerous people from multiple sectors within the spa industry, it became clear that many were concerned about the new US trade tariffs that were introduced on 2 April to address the country's trade deficit.

The spa market has been trying to understand how best to deal with the changes, including a 10 per cent import levy to the US and steep country-specific duties. Therefore, I decided to conduct a global survey, primarily to quantify the current impact and gather strategies being used already, which could be shared with the wider industry to help anyone else negatively affected.

The awareness of this information, published in the report Impact of US Tariffs on the Spa Industry, will bring more confidence to those dealing with negative impacts, as well as employees who worry about their job security. It's good to note 53 per cent of survey respondents stated the new tariffs were unlikely to change the number of employees in the business this year.

Background
The spa and wellness industry is facing rising costs and uncertain supply chains as a result of the economic turbulence.
Many spas in the US rely on imported equipment, products and other supplies, which are now subject to the tariffs, while suppliers based outside the US face logistics complications, inflated export costs and must meet other changing trade requirements. The threats of squeezed margins, increased prices for consumers and disrupted service delivery loom as firms adapt to the turbulence.

Methodology
The global online survey was completed by 83 respondents, with the sample including operators and suppliers – 26 per cent from the Americas (22 people), 49 per cent from Asia Pacific (41 people), 19 per cent from Europe (16 people) and 7 per cent from the Middle East and Africa (6 people)*.

Given 26 per cent of respondents were unsure of the impacts, some suggesting it was too early to know, it may be interesting to conduct a follow up survey towards the end of the year to share updates. (*NB, numbers have been rounded)

Find out more
The report, which can be purchased from www.intelligentspas.com for US$30 (€26, £22), goes into detail on topics including specific impacts on the industry, the significance of these changes and strategies to mitigate the effects.
Key stats (sample = 83)

28 per cent of all survey respondents globally stated they are being negatively impacted by the new tariffs

72 per cent of all survey respondents globally say they have not yet been negatively impacted

32 per cent of those who stated they are not being negatively impacted have already changed their financial forecasts and budgets

47 per cent of those who sell products and/or services to the Americas said they’ve experienced negative impacts

45 per cent of respondents located in the US said they’re being negatively affected, versus 29 per cent of those located in the Asia Pacific region

8 per cent of respondents from Europe, Africa and the Middle East stated they’re being negatively impacted

PHOTO: Intelligent Spas

"The awareness of this information will bring more confidence to those dealing with negative impacts" – Julie Garrow, MD, Intelligent Spas

92 per cent of EMEA respondents have not been impacted
92 per cent of EMEA respondents have not been impacted / PHOTO: Shutterstock/ yuri a peopleimages.com
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Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. - bespoke means moving beyond the catalogue to delivering contextual design responses
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness environments. [more...]

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09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

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Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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