As obesity rates climb and Americans age, more people are developing sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and other sleep disorders. Plus, stress in 2020 related to the presidential election, Covid-19 pandemic and recession are all contributing to more sleepless nights.

As summer approaches, trends in outdoor living spaces pique the interest of anyone looking to upgrade or remodel the exterior spaces of their homes. Outdoor living has taken on a new level of importance for people in light of events over the past year, with most people spending much more time at home.

Americans spent more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they didn’t just sit on the couch and watch Netflix. Many residents went to work renovating their homes, leading to record home improvement spending.

The demand for office furniture dipped during the COVID-19 pandemic as economic activity slowed and employees transitioned to working remotely. Businesses had little incentive to purchase furniture for empty workspaces.

International trade data can represent an accurate barometer of the state of the health of the global economy, even more so in the current extraordinary circumstances, that require up-to-date monitoring for companies involved in international business.

Before the pandemic, Becca Knoblock used to leave her house before 7 a.m. and white-knuckle her way through downtown Denver’s heavy I-25 traffic on her daily commute. Now that she works from home, she starts each day with a cup of coffee outside, where she takes a few minutes to tend her garden.

The kitchen has always been the heart of the home. During the last three decades, it has become a fast-growing space for technological advancements, and the increasing number of smart appliances is a testimony to this ongoing trend. Smart appliances are expected to witness further improvement in the future and are creating a demand for home automation systems.

Continued growth in building construction and rising disposable income levels have boosted the demand for furniture in the U.S. in recent years.  

The U.S. demand for furniture is expected to reach $68.8 billion in 2022, rising at an annual growth rate of 2.6% from $60.5 billion in 2017, according to the report Furniture: United States by Freedonia Focus Reports, a division of MarketResearch.com.

Demographic shifts and lifestyle changes are creating new opportunities in the gardening and landscaping industry, according to Jennifer Mapes-Christ, manager of the consumer & commercial products team at The Freedonia Group.

Tattoos and body art in the U.S. have soared in popularity lately, especially among Millennials, fueling an industry comprised of 20,000 tattoo parlors or studios. The industry, which also includes body piercing and tattoo removal, is estimated to be worth $3 billion, and is growing strongly.