6. The Three Cs: Candy, Cosmetics, and Contraceptives
Stressed-out American workers always enjoy a quick, easy, and affordable pick-me-up to get them through their day. This is even truer when recession strikes. While sin businesses do well during the recession for this very reason, not everyone indulges in drinking or smoking. But that doesn’t mean they don’t indulge.
Workplace-acceptable ways of blowing off steam include candy. Candy consumption in the U.S. during the Great Recession went into the stratosphere. Cadbury’s profits went up by 30 percent in 2008 and Nestle jumped up 11 percent during that time. Inexpensive, sugary treats that break the doldrums without breaking the bank are perfect for people dealing with hard times. It’s a pattern that’s held true through many ups and downs in the U.S. and global economy. Back during the Great Depression in the 1930s was when several new candies got their starts.
Cosmetics companies and nail salon services also do well during recessions as women look for budget-friendly ways to pamper themselves a little. Some economists even track lipstick sales as an inverse relationship indicator to the health of an economy. Another essentially free way to feel better about life when the economy is down is simply to have more sex, and that’s exactly what couples do. Of course, it can be incredibly expensive if a pregnancy occurs, so contraceptive sales usually get a nice jolt from a lagging economy.