For the past few months, it seems like there’s bad news every day. Airlines all over the world have been laying off thousands of employees. Large companies are filing for bankruptcy while small businesses are closing down. On the bright side, not everyone has experienced a decline. Despite the fact that there’s a global recession, several businesses are thriving.
Here are some of the products that are seeing a surge in demand:
Gardening Supplies
From pots and trowels to seeds and soil, gardening tools and materials have been gaining popularity recently. That’s because people all over the world have started planting to occupy their time at home. A report has found that gardening companies in Russia, Canada, the UK, and the U.S. have seen a spike in demand.
The reason behind gardening’s rise in popularity can be attributed to various factors. Staying at home has become one of the most resounding messages during the pandemic. And gardening is one of the hobbies people can do without leaving their house. You can order seeds or even grown plants online.
Another reason is its positive impact on a person’s mental health. For the past few years, medical professionals in London have referred gardening to their patients. It has found success in treating depression and stress. Plant care also has a positive effect on physical health because it entails movement and sunlight exposure. In the middle of a public health crisis, people’s wellbeing should be the priority. And gardening is one of the things that can help.
Skincare Products
Skin problems have been one of the most surprising side effects people have experienced while staying at home. Because more and more are working at home, it would be easy to assume that people’s skin would be better not worse. There would be little to no exposure to pollution. You have more time for sleep because you no longer have to commute to work. You also don’t have to wear makeup anymore or at least you would use less products than before. Contrary to expectation, a lot of people are actually experiencing breakouts. Because of this, demand for skincare products have increased by 11%, compared to last year. This is in contrast to makeup products which are down by 22%.
These widespread skin problems can be blamed on a few things. Dermatologist Robin Schaffran says the biggest reason is stress. With few reasons to go outside, more people are turning to social media and TV to spend their time at home. The problem is that social networking sites and news channels often show bad news. This can have a negative effect of people’s health.
One other likely suspect is the face mask. The phenomenon has been so prevalent these days that it’s been given the name “maskne”. An expert has said that the masks can be irritating the hair follicles on the skin. Another explanation is that long periods of wearing a mask can cause acne to form due to the trapped humidity.
Books
It’s not only video game companies that are doing great during this period. A lot of people have also turned to reading books to fend off their boredom at home. Several bookstores and libraries around the world have seen an increase in sales. In the US, there’s been a boost in e-book readership. Across the pond, educational books for children and fictional novels are flying off the shelves.
The demand can be chalked up to three different reasons. The most obvious one is the need for escapism, especially during trying times like these. People are bombarded with reports of deaths and economic decline frequently. As a result, they turn to books to forget reality even for a little while.
Another reason for this demand is the sudden rise of homeschooling. Because of the closure of schools, parents now have been tasked to teach their kids at home. And among the most reliable learning materials are educational children’s books. They’re designed to keep kids’ attention while imparting important lessons.
There’s also an explanation behind the surge that doesn’t involve the pandemic. Because of the Black Lives Matter movement, Black-owned bookstores around the country have been receiving great support recently. People have been buying anti-racism books to educate themselves.
A lot of industries may have been negatively affected by the pandemic. But there are also several businesses that are seeing a surge in demand. Consumers have changed their priorities. What’s popular before, is now on the backburner for the time being. However, the intent to buy is still there. The challenge for businesses is to find it.
