The US and some parts of the world are in turmoil; politically-, environmentally- and medically-speaking. The coronavirus, which grabbed headlines more than a year ago, continues to take the lives of thousands of people around the world and a resolution remains months away. The chaos surrounding the recent US presidential election may  take years to right. But the biggest challenge, long-term, remains the environmental crisis. Here, most of the world is united in its efforts to reduce the impact of climate change through new technologies, improved consumer habits and better governmental policies. All of these issues and many more present great challenges and opportunities to the worldwide household and personal products industry. But if we’ve learned anything from recent history, our industry can handle adversity.

For example, although the US economy was devastated by lockdowns in Q2, sales of household cleaning products rose last year. According to IRI, US laundry detergent sales rose 5.9% in 2020 and bleach sales jumped 33%. And while much has been said about beauty taking a beating during the pandemic, IRI notes that there were bright spots: unisex hair color sales soared nearly 71%, as lockdowns shut down many salons for weeks and months last year. But even facial moisturizers, a well-established category, enjoyed a 14.3% increase in sales in 2020, according to IRI. 

Clearly there are plenty of opportunities in 2021. To take advantage of them, formulators need a reliable supply chain. To find the ingredients for that next blockbuster beauty cream or disinfectant, check out our Buyers’ Guide, in this issue and is updated throughout the year on Happi.com. This issue of Happi also includes an article on hairstyling trends (click here). As Melissa Meisel notes, today, just about anything goes when it comes to hair fashion, but experts also weigh in on what to look for when the world gets back to (new) normal.  If the pandemic has kept a lid on socializing, it has been a boon to artificial reality. Christine Esposito reports on the latest trends in beauty technology (click here).

Indie beauty brands have been having their moment for years and the Independent Beauty Association (IBA) has had beauty entrepreneurs’ backs for decades by offering education, advice and expertise. Click here to read IBA Chairman Chris Hobson explain how IBA can help startups and established players find success in an increasingly competitive beauty landscape. That conversation and education continues online with IBA’s Indie Beauty Basics webinar series next month, March 23-25. To learn more and to register, visit Happi.com/contents/list_webinars.

We hope you enjoy this edition of Happi. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Tom Branna
Editorial Director
tbranna@rodmanmedia.com