What should I check in a nail salon’s inventory of gel, dip and acrylic supplies?

Walk the supply room with the seller and list what you see in each system: gel polishes and builders, dip powders and activators, acrylic liquids and powders, plus tips, files and disinfectant. Check dates and the condition of containers. Liquids can thicken, powders can clump and polishes can separate, so ask which items are still usable and which should be thrown out. Do not accept a rough guess when you can count.

Then compare what is on the shelves with how the salon works. Ask which colours and systems clients request most, how often each is reordered and how long a bottle usually lasts. Dead stock, such as discontinued colours or a system the technicians no longer use, should be flagged separately. Ask whether any items are held on credit or consignment.

Next, ask about supply sources. If the salon relies on one distributor, ask what happens if that distributor changes terms or stops carrying a line. Ask technicians what they prefer, because a new owner who switches products may disrupt service quality. Your accountant can explain how stock is counted at closing, and how inventory financing might apply.

Key takeaways

• Count each system separately and check dates and container condition.
• Flag colours and products that clients no longer ask for.
• Ask whether any supplies are on credit, consignment or owed to a distributor.
• Find out which products technicians prefer before changing anything.