For the past several decades, Asia has been the region to find growth, but when we learned that the one-off chopstick market is expected to exceed $41 billion by 2025, we did a double-take. Not just because that represents a staggering amount of timber, but according to Grand View Research, Inc., manufacturers are gradually shifting their plants to North America and other regions, owing to the surging government regulations pertaining to deforestation and availability of aspen in these regions.


Shifting business interests from other parts of the world to North America? It’s not just chopstick makers considering the move. Samsung, Sharp, Foxconn and Apple are all said to be considering new US plants. What was unheard of only a few months ago, may become a reality. Even if all those plants are just in the planning stages, such announcements are stoking expectations.


Last month, the Philadelphia Fed said its manufacturing index soared to a 33-year high, in another indication of improving business sentiment in the wake of a Republican election sweep. The Philadelphia Fed index surged to a reading of 43.3 from 23.6 in January. That’s the highest level since early 1984, on a scale where any reading above zero indicates improving conditions. Analysts had expected a reading of 20. The surge was also the biggest one-month gain in the index since June 2009. Like it or not, the US business climate seems to be heating up.


With the weather getting warmer in the Northern Hemisphere, things are heating up in the sun care category, too. Sort through Happi.com for our annual look at the newest products and promotions in this $1.2 billion category, which is dominated by Edgewell, Neutrogena and Bayer. Also this month, we take a look at what’s new in the over-the-counter category. One of the biggest launches is Galderma’s Differin Gel, a new acne treatment. Finally, we look at the still-strong color cosmetics category and tell you the hues that will be on-trend this Spring.


If you’re heading to London for In-Cosmetics early next month, be sure to stop by the Happi stand, T60.•