Shoppers Proud to Splurge on Made in USA Goods

Americans love buying Made in USA products. While the Fourth of July holiday certainly brings awareness to supporting local businesses and American- made products, sales for Made in USA are seeing steady increases in sales all year round. Casual Living reports, “While American manufacturing has grown quickly in recent years, the want for American-made products seems to be growing even quicker. If you were thinking of adding American-made products, now’s the time.”

Luckily, there’s no shortage of American-made products to choose from. According to The Balance, U.S. manufacturing is the largest in the world, producing 18.2 percent of the world’s goods. Manufacturing is big business in the U.S. For retailers, that means you can find just about every kind of products, and manufactures to make custom products, right here in the U.S.

Here are some of the best-selling product categories for Made in USA products:

Skincare & Beauty

Skincare products are one of the fastest growing categories in beauty sales. And it’s not just women driving this trend. According to Forbes, 87 percent of men say they use body cleansing products, 70 percent of men say they use sunscreen, and nearly two-thirds say they use facial skincare. Among those between 18 and 44, facial skincare users actually jump to as much as 84 percent.

In general, consumers are looking for products that align with their values. Cruelty free skincare and beauty products are more popular than ever. There’s been an incredible 175 percent increase in vegan cosmetics since 2013. Beauty products from American companies such as small businesses, natural products, and organic products are an easy and profitable addition to any boutique retail store or online business.

Accessories & Jewelry

Jewelry sales have been growing steadily for years, wilth billions in sales every year. Handmade jewelry and locally designed items are a great way to incorporate unique products into your store. Accessory trends are ever-changing, meaning there are constantly new sales opportunities. Made in USA accessories offer environmentally friendly options, opportunities to support other local businesses, and assurances of high quality. Small products like earrings can be displayed as impulse buys by the checkout area. Other accessories like belt bags and handbags can be easily displayed with a small footprint standalone display, or incorporated into existing tabletop displays.

Home & Decor

The home decor market is expected to grow to $664 billion by 2020. This category is seeing a huge surge in growth as more people are now buying homes than any other time since the financial crisis in 2008. These new homeowners, as well as city apartment dwellers are investing in higher quality eco-friendly products, meaning locally made and made in the USA products are a perfect fit for this profitable consumer group. These types of colorful and craft products also make for creative and visually appealing displays. Use these items in your window display and/or speed bump displays for maximum exposure.

Outdoor Furniture & Activity

Casual Living reports that 91% of consumers prefer outdoor furniture that is made in the USA. For many shoppers, products that are made in the United States represent high-quality manufacturing and craftsmanship, exactly what you want when purchasing outdoor products. Outdoor items are perfect for last-minute summer displays, or in preparation for next year’s spring season.

Souvenirs

Locally made and Made in USA products are especially popular as travel souvenirs or gifts. The U.S. souvenir market is worth $16.75 billion, so there is plenty of opportunity for sales in this category. Practical everyday items like totes, mugs, and candles, can easily be incorporated into any type of boutique, apparel, or home goods store even if you don’t typically sell souvenirs. Beautiful namedropepd items make great gifts and bring a sense of hometown pride and local love to your store.

Pet Products

As we covered last month, pet products are big business. They are one of the few product categories that seem to be entirely recession-proof. 67 percent of U.S. households spent $72.56 billion. Many pet owners view their furry companions as members of the family, and prioritize purchasing high-quality food, treats, and toys. Many consumers purchase pet food according to their own personal diet preferences, such as grain-free, whole food, or even human-grade pet food. These shoppers tend to look for handmade or locally made pet food with identifiable ingredients.
Pet wellness products are another quickly growing category. As people are spending more money on products like aromatherapy, CBD oils, and supplements for themselves, they are also purchasing these products for their pets. Overall, made in USA pet products are a great way for any retailer to boost sales.