Astute readers realize they’ve received multiple issues of Happi with our April mailing. This month, there’s bonus distribution of our semi-annual Household & Personal Care Wipes, as well as CBD Inside & Out. With more consumers concerned about germs than ever before, demand for wipes is soaring. In fact, it wasn’t long ago that Clorox couldn’t keep up with demand for its eponymous Clean Up wipes. But like so many other supply chain issues, manufacturers and their suppliers learned valuable lessons during the past year that should keep production lines humming when the next force majeure strikes.

Cannabidiol, of course, is in the news for a host of reasons, and as more US states legalize cannabis, marketers expect sale of CBD-related products to go still higher. In our coverage of the contract manufacturing sector, observers told us that CBD-related skin care products were among the winning categories during the past year. It’s certainly already a hit in my circles. A few months ago, I received some samples of a new CBD lotion which, when it launches later this year, will compete in the topical pain relief category. After trying it for a few days, I thought it was the most effective, aesthetically-pleasing topical pain relief lotion I had ever tried; but, seeking more input, I handed samples out to any friend who complained about back pain, knee pain, etc.—four samples in all. Each told me (unsolicited) that it was the best thing that they had ever used on their aches and pains. Now, I’m a CBD believer and a regular user too! 

But before entrepreneurs rush out to build their CBD brands, be advised that the US Food and Drug Administration recently issued Warning Letters to Honest Globe Inc., Santa Ana, CA, and Biolyte Laboratories LLC, Grand Rapids, MI, for making pain relief claims for CBD products. For more on CBD’s use in skin care, read Paolo Giacomoni’s Efficacy Challenges column here.

Another category winner, somewhat surprisingly, is fine fragrance. After a rough start to 2020, fragrance had a strong finish during the all-important holiday selling season. Beginning here, Melissa Meisel looks at the latest launches for Spring 2021.

Of course, few categories benefitted from the pandemic like personal cleansers (click here). Christine Esposito reports that even humble soap sales soared 45% during the past 12 months. Nothing like a global pandemic to finally get guys to wash their hands after using the toilet!

We hope you enjoy this issue of Happi. Things are slowly returning to normal here in the US and there is even talk of tradeshows for the fall. Until then, we welcome your comments via phone or email. Stay safe!

Tom Branna
Editorial Director
[email protected]