Before getting on to the trends of 2022 as promised in the last newsletter, I’d like to take a moment to share a few quotes by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that still hold so much relevance for today and the challenging times that we are in:

·        “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

·        “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”

·        “A lie cannot live.”

·        “Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”

·        “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”

·        “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

·         “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”


2022 Business Trends (Part II)

(Information provided by was Rieva Lesonsky, CEO of GrowBiz Media & www.smallbusinesscurrents.com)

Shopping Small

·        After the pandemic, 63% of consumers will prioritize shopping at small & local businesses.

Hot Demographics

·        The Washington Post reports that those over 65 are the fastest growing category of e-commerce shoppers. (Advice to small and local businesses: jump on this trend and start marketing to boomers; offer “buy online, pick-up in store (BOPIS) & curbside pickup options).

Hot Businesses and Industries

·        Toy sales increased 17% ($2.3 billion) January-September 2021

·        Plush toys saw the fastest growth of 39% (source: NPD Group)

Beauty (makeup)

·        Makeup sales returned to 78% of their 2019 levels last May 2021. This rebound will accelerate as consumers increasingly return to in-person activities and mask requirements loosen.

·        Clean Beauty—makeup and skincare products composed of nontoxic, ethically sourced materials is becoming increasingly popular because consumers care about what goes into the creams, powders & lotions they are using. Clean beauty market is a $5 billion market and is expected to reach $12 billion by 2027. (Source: Brand Essence Research)

·        Men—War Paint for Men https://us.warpaintformen.com/ offers the first makeup store for men. Makeup for men is a growing trend with a number of manufacturers offering a line of cosmetics. Market sales is expected to reach $166 billion in 2022. (Source: Allied Market Research).

Beauty (hair styling & grooming)

·        Sales of women’s hairstyling and men’s grooming products increased by double-digits from April-September of 2021 vs 2020.

o  Women’s Products: specialty stylers +58%; curling irons +43%; hair setters +35%; flat irons & straighteners +25%

o  Men’s Products: Body groomers +43%; nose/ear trimmers +26%; pen trimmers +13 (source: NPD’s ongoing home industry research).

More 2022 Trends in next weeks newsletter. Stay, safe and stay tuned!