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.

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.

According to a report by BIS Research, the global heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) market was estimated at $172.37 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $208.55 billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 2.6% during the forecast period. A number of factors are at play:

Power lawn and garden equipment is an important component of the lawn care industry and the landscaping industry. Both residential home gardeners and commercial landscapers use a variety of equipment such as lawnmowers, garden tractors, trimmers and edgers, and blowers. This equipment aids in the upkeep of manicured lawns and gardens, parks, golf courses, and athletic fields.

As U.S. obesity rates climb and Americans age, more people are developing sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and other sleep disorders. Plus, stressors related to the volatile stock market, terrorism, mass shootings, health care, student debt, and protests against politicians are all resulting in more sleepless nights.