Will Beauty Bounce Back?

Will Beauty Bounce Back?

May 29, 2020
Lisa M. Spencer

Will beauty bounce back?  In the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown, many people are not spending as much time or money on some of the daily routines like shaving, hair styling, or elaborate makeup.

Many beauty purchases revolve around going out and socializing, which the current crisis has curtailed.  Forecasting for the beauty industry in the upcoming months may prove challenging, as so much remains up in the air.

Video Spotlight: Huda Kattan: Coronavirus has fundamentally changed the beauty and blogging businesses (Apr 24, 2020, Yahoo Finance)

This post is based on the CNN article, Our grooming habits are changing, by Fiona Sinclair Scott, May 6, 2020, and the YouTube video in the Spotlight. Image source: Plush Studios/Blend Images LLC

Discussion Questions:

1. What changes in demand have the beauty industry experienced in recent months?

Guidance: Sales of some beauty products are down, including color cosmetics, fragrance, and lipstick, as women spend more time at home, and public mask-wearing becomes commonplace.  At the same time, sales of eye makeup on retail sites is up, with Alibaba reporting 150% increase in mid-February.  Since the eyes are the most visible facial feature Continue reading →

, , , , ,
Facebook
Twitter
Drones to Deliver Floridian Meds

Drones to Deliver Floridian Meds

May 27, 2020
Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.

Florida’s retirees can soon receive their prescription drugs from CVS delivered by UPS’s drones.

The touchless prescription drug delivery helps protect seniors from COVID-19 as they are more vulnerable to contracting the virus, and have a higher risk of severe illness and death.

Video Spotlight: UPS and CVS make residential drone delivery (Nov 5, 2019, UPS)

This post is based on the Tech Crunch article, UPS and CVS will offer prescription drug delivery to Florida community via drone, by Brian Heater, April 27, 2020, and the YouTube video in the Spotlight. Image source: Shutterstock / happyphotons

Discussion Questions:

1. Is the drone prescription drug delivery a successful service design for CVS? Explain.

Guidance: It is a successful service design because it focuses on delivering prescription drugs safely and efficiently to its most vulnerable customers, i.e., seniors.  The human factor is key to CVS’s operations. Drone delivery enhances its customer satisfaction, particularly with seniors.

2. How does CVS manage logistics challenges in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Guidance:  CVS has partnered with UPS to use drones to deliver prescription drug to retirees in Florida. This addresses the logistics challenge of limited Continue reading →

, , , , , ,
Facebook
Twitter
Hershey’s To Manufacture Its Own Masks

Hershey’s To Manufacture Its Own Masks

May 26, 2020
Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.

Hershey is investing $1 million to acquire new production capabilities to make face masks for its employees and their families as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unlike other food and beverage companies that retrofit existing equipment for personal protective equipment (PPE) production, Hershey is expanding its capabilities to keep both chocolate and PPE manufacturing operations running.  This way Hershey ensures a safe and clean working environment for continual operations as well as providing relief for much needed face masks to protect health workers and general public against the highly contagious coronavirus.

Video Spotlight: 

This post is based on the Food Dive article, Hershey to acquire facility to manufacture face masks, by Jessi Devenynys, April 28, 2020, and the YouTube videos in the Spotlight. Image source: Shutterstock / Dech St

Discussion Questions:

1. What capacity decision has Hershey made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Guidance: Face masks are in short supply as they are a key personal protective equipment (PPE) to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.  The masks are also Continue reading →

, , , , , ,
Facebook
Twitter