Why The Disaster Prep Industry Is Booming
According to the Stern review, the likelihood of human extinction over the next 100 years is about 9.5%. After covid-19 swept the globe in 2020, having hit the United States harder than any other developed country, consumers starting taking their safety more serious than ever.
Robert Vicino of Vivos bunkers says sales grew by 500% over the last year. And he isn’t the only business owner who has noticed spikes in sales. Brandon Erikkson, Vice President of Sales at food emergency brand ReadyWise also saw some unlikely trends, especially among Gen Z.
“The really interesting thing we've seen over the last few years is the younger generation, people in their early 20s, are really keen on having a product like ours, whether it's a 72 hour kit or having a month worth of food,” Erikkson says.
The growing uncertainty following covid-19 hasn’t only elevated existing preparation brands, but has also created space for new ones. According to IBIS World, entry to the emergency relief market is fairly low, with companies like the American Red Cross dominating the market.
Simon Huck, co-founder of JUDY emergency kits, knew people had a growing appetite for safety following the increase in U.S. climate disasters. Since launching in 2020, Huck has already sold 30,000 JUDY bags and made it onto one of the most coveted holiday shopping lists: Oprah’s Favorite Things.
While doomsday prepping is often viewed as taboo, it’s clear there’s a growing appetite for safety and a growing awareness of business opportunities in the emergency preparation space.
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Why The Emergency Relief Industry Is Booming