Topic: So what industries are doing well currently?

[ghost]

Let's balance out those dowdy sad depressing economic news. Anyone knows what industries are on the up and up?

[Railton]

OK, I'll start.
Rail signalling.
We're looking to move to a new location as we have no more room for additional people and required cubical space. We're at  1000 people and will need to hire an additional 10% for a couple of likely contracts.
Hi read that Bombardier is doing well lately...their aerospace division anyway...
Next?
Railton

[2JDM]

-Biotechnology?
-Pharmaceutical/medical research

[The Mighty Duck]

I talked to my old man a couple weeks ago, and he said discount retail sales (i.e. Walmart, Canadian Tire) are still relatively strong.  The news said much of the same: lots of people shopping at those sorts of stores in lieu of more upscale outlets.

I think in absolute terms the discounters are still suffering, but relative to other retailers, they're doing alright.

Discount grocers also tend to do pretty well in downtimes, for obvious reasons.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Some general contractors I know, should have enough work to ride out the storm
With a bit of luck the government will spending money on upgrading HVAC systems

[mmret]

I hear the repo business is booming.

[ovr50]

Certain specialized high tech companies are doing very well and increasing their numbers, especially in the less developed parts of the world. 

Gaming industry not hurt yet at all.

[dr_spock]

I talked to my old man a couple weeks ago, and he said discount retail sales (i.e. Walmart, Canadian Tire) are still relatively strong.  The news said much of the same: lots of people shopping at those sorts of stores in lieu of more upscale outlets.

I think in absolute terms the discounters are still suffering, but relative to other retailers, they're doing alright.

Discount grocers also tend to do pretty well in downtimes, for obvious reasons.

Yup, there will be a shift downwards.  The upper scale restaurants, etc. will probably hurt.  McDonalds, fast food joints will probably do well.   People still have to eat. 

I think alcohol stores could see an increase--more people will drink in bad times. 

Aftermarket car parts could also do well.   People may not be buying new cars but fixing their old ones to keep going. 

[ghost]

Someone mentioned to me that McDonald's are doing well still. Maybe folks who dine out now head to the golden arches? 
Liquor is fairly stable too.
How about your local barber shops? Hair needs to be maintained for that next interview!!! 

[The Mighty Duck]

Yup, there will be a shift downwards.  The upper scale restaurants, etc. will probably hurt.  McDonalds, fast food joints will probably do well.   People still have to eat.

  One article I read recently mentioned maitre d' s are getting used to "smiling for customers even without reservations".  I got a chuckle out of that...

[ovr50]

Someone mentioned to me that McDonald's are doing well still. Maybe folks who dine out now head to the golden arches? 
Liquor is fairly stable too.
How about your local barber shops? Hair needs to be maintained for that next interview!!! 

Things would have to get really terrible before I would go to McDonald's for anything. I rather dislike their stuff totally. It's the WalMart of eating.

[RunsinLight]

Toilet paper! The stink and messes will go on forever

[wing]

The tech sector isn't doing particularly well, but it doesn't seem "horrible" like the downturn of 2000-2001.  Most tech firms already did a lot of cost cutting and have lean operations and the ability to stave off small to medium downturn.  My sector in IP routing is not growing this year but year over year we are forecast to maintain which is great in this climate.

[dr_spock]

How about your local barber shops? Hair needs to be maintained for that next interview!!! 

That only matters if you are still young to have hair on your head.    I haven't gone to the barber in ages.   

[Zombie]

According to the radio commercials that I have been hearing the rust proofing places should do better in an economic down turn.
Since your not buying a new car you better rust proof the one you have so it can last.
I'm not really sure if people really think that way but I guess that is what the commercial was trying to convince people to do.

[ovr50]

How about your local barber shops? Hair needs to be maintained for that next interview!!! 

That only matters if you are still young to have hair on your head.    I haven't gone to the barber in ages.   

  Right, I still go but I should get a big discount.....

[initial_D]

Alcohol, chocolate, cigarette sales usually go up with added stress to the common folks. This time of the year, very difficult to gauge the retail market, people always over spend, this time of the year, and there is always the extended time frame for product returns after Christmas.

I have a friend who owns a Power Sports shop, (Quads, Ski-doos, etc), activities haven't slow down for him this year as compare to previous year. Another friend owns a Security Camera & Video Surveillance system company, his business is booming right now.

[The Mighty Duck]

I have a friend who owns a Power Sports shop, (Quads, Ski-doos, etc), activities haven't slow down for him this year as compare to previous year. Another friend owns a Security Camera & Video Surveillance system company, his business is booming right now.

I recall reading during the summer that sales of luxury cars, boats, and other such "toys" were actually up, because of fantastic manufacturer incentives and the (at the time) strong Canadian dollar.  I wonder if the same is true now of the Power Sports industry?

[ArticSteve]

I wonder if the same is true now of the Power Sports industry?

The bug in ATV/Bike sales currently is the clamp down on financing.  Best rate at Honda is essentially 9% and only if credit is solid.  Suzuki (Laurentian Bank) is 8.75 and credit must be solid.  If not, it's GE credit at 18%.    80% of units are financed.  Margins are low.  Profit, if you can call that, is in clothing and accessories and then parts.

[Mitlov]

Let's balance out those dowdy sad depressing economic news. Anyone knows what industries are on the up and up?

Civil litigation.  When the economy's in the shitter, people turn on each other.  Business in my office is booming 

The video game industry is also doing amazingly well.  World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King sold 2.8 million copies in the first 24 hours.  It's part of a phenomenon called nesting.  People are focusing on the little stay-at-home hobbies instead of more expensive, extroverted hobbies.