The coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to disrupt industries. Luxury, travel, big-box retail and international chains especially are feeling the strain as the coronavirus, which has 95,000 confirmed cases and has led to 3,200 deaths worldwide, has soured global economic activity.
Apple, McDonald’s, Starbucks and Yum Brands have had to close up stores overseas; companies are canceling industry events or moving them online; and consumers are staying home, away from public areas like movie theaters, gyms and malls. Even the upcoming James Bond film, inconveniently called “No Time to Die,” has had to move its opening from April to November.
But not all companies are reeling from the disastrous outbreak. Some brands are seeing their products sell out or their stock rise amid the turmoil.
Cleaning products
Standout brands: Lysol and Clorox
It’s no surprise that cleaning products are dominating the market. Store aisles across the U.S. are empty and prices are surging online from third-party sellers. Reckitt Benckiser’s Lysol is one of the top performers. Spray sanitizers, led by RB’s Lysol, were up 32 percent from a year ago, according to Nielsen. The Center for Biocide Chemistries also lists several Lysol products as suitable for fighting the coronavirus.
“We are seeing some increased demand for Dettol and Lysol products and are working to support the relevant healthcare authorities and agencies, including through donations, information and education,” said the company in its fourth-quarter earnings.
Lysol is one of the only cleaning brands that has mentioned the coronavirus in its marketing. On Facebook, it has shared ways to keep coronavirus at bay, as recommended by the CDC, and also launched an Alexa Skill this week that reveals the cold and flu levels in the area.
On social, Lysol is leading other cleaning brands with over 100,000 mentions since January 1. These peaked on February 27 when it was mentioned 7,000 times, a 750 percent increase in daily mentions, according to data analytics company Brandwatch.