China's natural gas consumption surges 11.9% in 4 months    China, Pakistan forge mining co-operation pact    Colombia's Petro: No coal exports to Israel until Gaza 'genocide' ends    No Model Y 'refresh' is coming out this year – CEO    Volvo relocates China-made EV production to Belgium    CEC submits six proposals to Prime Minister for economic enhancement    Environment Minister discusses private sector's role in advancing Egypt's industrial environmental integration    Egypt's Labour Minister concludes ILO Conference with meeting with Director-General    KOICA, EAPD partner to foster sustainable development in Africa    Egypt's largest puzzle assembled by 80 children at Al-Nas Hospital    Egypt to host 1st New Development Bank seminar outside founding BRICS nations    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Azerbaijan's Aliyev advocate for ceasefire in Gaza    BRICS Skate Cup: Skateboarders from Egypt, 22 nations gather in Russia    Pharaohs Edge Out Burkina Faso in World Cup qualifiers Thriller    Acceleration needed in global energy transition – experts    China-Egypt relationship remains strong, enduring: Chinese ambassador    Egypt, Namibia foster health sector cooperation    Egypt's EDA, Zambia sign collaboration pact    Madinaty Sports Club hosts successful 4th Qadya MMA Championship    Amwal Al Ghad Awards 2024 announces Entrepreneurs of the Year    Egyptian President asks Madbouly to form new government, outlines priorities    Egypt's President assigns Madbouly to form new government    Egypt and Tanzania discuss water cooperation    Grand Egyptian Museum opening: Madbouly reviews final preparations    Madinaty's inaugural Skydiving event boosts sports tourism appeal    Tunisia's President Saied reshuffles cabinet amidst political tension    Instagram Celebrates African Women in 'Made by Africa, Loved by the World' 2024 Campaign    Egypt to build 58 hospitals by '25    Swiss freeze on Russian assets dwindles to $6.36b in '23    Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Washing boom
Published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 09 - 07 - 2009

A flu scare boosts sales of commercial soap and detergent products and increases revenues, Eman Youssef reports
The worldwide H1N1 flu and bird flu scare has led to strong demand for disinfectants. Recently, homes have become increasingly cluttered with task-specific cleansers, disinfecting wipes packages and soap bars.
Soap products available in either bar, powder or liquid form and other detergents, as well as products such as disinfectants, can prevent spread of infection, and secure people's environment from the viruses.
Amid flu warnings, sanitisers have become hot sellers and many stores have added store-within-store shops, selling hygienic paper goods, laundry and cleaning supplies. "Sales of liquid hand soap and detergents increased by 100 per cent in the past two months, and revenue from some disinfectant products increased 50 per cent," said Sayed Ahmed, a pharmacist. He also said that so far, prices are stable, but if it became expensive, consumers may not come back. "We saw really great initial sales, but we expect that to level off," Ahmed told Al-Ahram Weekly.
Scientists tested the effects of common soap and detergent brands and found they can kill the virus at a minimum soap or detergent concentration of 0.1 per cent in five minutes, and almost immediately at higher concentrations.
As swine flu facts and statistics have become increasingly alarming, sales of other germ-fighting products and masks are also seeing a dramatic increase. "Affected by demand for these products, overall company sales of basic goods rose by 40 per cent in April and May compared to last year," said Magdi Abbas, marketing manager for an international company importing detergents.
Preferences have also begun to emerge. Housewife Rasha Samir emphasised that local cleaning wipes dry out quickly so she prefers to buy international brands. "Detergents filled a growing consumer demand for products that not only wash away germs, but eliminate those that can cause serious illness," said Ahmed, adding that convenient, disposable, time- saving and efficient products are on the rise. As lifestyle trends become increasingly hectic and fast-paced, the convenience factor is a key driver in the cleansers and detergents industry.
Meanwhile, non-chemical, natural choices are emerging, such as a 100 per cent oil-based disinfectant. It is proven to kill more than 99.99 per cent of bacteria, according to Khaled Hamdi, owner of a natural herbs company. Hamdi also added that the sales of plants, which are believed to boost immune system, such as cinnamon, mint, and ginger have increased.
Industry insiders agreed that despite the emphasis on wipes and detergents, household cleaning products companies are not pulling the plug on the sprays and liquid products, which continue to make up the bulk of the market. Antibacterial products have been prominent several years, but as bird flu heats up in Egypt and talk of swine flu continues to grow, consumers are more wary of germs than ever before. According to industry experts, consumers are more than willing to pay for convenience when it comes to cleaning, which explains the proliferation of wipes in the marketplace. "Egyptians should be prepared for the onslaught of swine flu," according to Ahmed.
Whilst most reporting has focussed on the negative impact on the economy, there are in fact opportunities too as sales of detergents, cleansers and health supplements rose.
Ashraf Ibrahim, general manager of Levant area at Unilever, the international manufacturer of cleaning products emphasised that soaps and detergents account for the largest portion of its revenues. His company will provide the market with two million tonnes of antibacterial soap.
"We're struggling to keep up with demand," Abbas said, adding that everything related to eliminating bacteria is selling. "With Egypt's rising population, the domestic market for daily goods is in a difficult situation. However, the increase in health awareness could help support the market."
Analysts say that disease is the greatest menace to an economy. However, they are confident that the market will eventually be able to overcome the crises.


Clic here to read the story from its source.