| Although it's hard to think that there could be good | | | | of the economy. People still need to eat, so they buy |
| investment news during a recession or depression, | | | | food at the grocery store. If someone in the family |
| not all types of businesses perform poorly. History | | | | gets sick, they go to the doctor and get the |
| shows that there are businesses that maintain their | | | | prescription filled. If the car breaks down, it still needs |
| profitability and others that actually thrive during | | | | to get repaired in order to take people to work or |
| difficult economic times. This article takes a look at | | | | shopping or groceries. |
| the types of companies that are likely to survive or | | | | Other areas which remain stable, unfortunately, are |
| do well during the current economic downturn. | | | | industries that cater to people with addictions. |
| First, discount stores are likely to see an increase in | | | | Cigarettes continue to sell. Alcohol continues to sell. |
| patronage. The worse the economy gets, the less | | | | People with these addictions will even forgo buying |
| disposable income most households have. As more | | | | food in order to maintain their "habit". That means |
| and more people are laid off from their jobs, and as | | | | tobacco and liquor manufacturers, wholesalers and |
| unemployment rates increase, increasing numbers of | | | | retailers (like the corner convenience store) are likely |
| people have no choice but to stretch their income | | | | to continue with business as usual. |
| and shop at discount stores. People who used to be | | | | Recycling-related industries are likely to see an upturn |
| able to afford shopping at higher-end malls, but | | | | in business activity. People become more |
| whose income has decreased due to layoffs or | | | | conscientious about saving and collecting plastic |
| cutbacks, are changing their buying patterns. So is | | | | bottles, soda cans and paper, especially in |
| the economy worsens, the bottom line for discount | | | | communities that already have established programs |
| stores gets healthier, and profits increase. | | | | that pay cash for these items. |
| Next, any industry that provides basic necessities for | | | | Also secondhand stores and consignment stores for |
| living will at least be able to continue relatively | | | | furniture and clothing may see an increase in business |
| unchanged by the economic forces surrounding it. | | | | as people change their habits from buying everything |
| Industries like health care, pharmaceuticals, retail | | | | "new" to replacing items that wear out with "gently |
| grocery stores and grocery wholesalers, waste | | | | used" versions. Online auction sites like eBay will likely |
| management services, auto repair and maintenance | | | | see increased activity. |
| services have relatively consistent demand regardless | | | | |