The holidays can be a joyous and fun year for the family. Yet, at times, it can be so hectic that it is hard to relax and decompress. From the arduous search for the perfect gifts to the long working hours that always precede the holiday season and year-end, there are times when we all need to take a moment for ourselves and let the stress of the season slip away. Here are some consumer brands that can help get your mind off the things you need to do for holidays – at least for a little bit.
Lay Back with a Libation
Partaking in a drink or two can help a person relax and take away the anxiety that often builds up during the season. If you are into cognac, you may consider a glass or two of Hennessy while listening to your favorite music. Hennessy, a subsidiary of industry giants Diageo plc (Tii:DEO) and LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne (Tii:LVMUY), is one of the most popular and least expensive cognacs available. If beer is more of your thing, there are no shortage of companies looking to slake your thirst, including Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (Tii:BUD), Molson Coors Beverage Co. (Tii:TAP) Ambev S.A. (Tii:ABEV), The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (Tii:SAM), and many others.
And for the wine aficionados, let’s not forget Willamette Valley Vineyards, Inc. (Tii:WVVI). The Oregon-based winery offers various vinos that include Pinot Noirs, chardonnays, Pinot Blancs, Pinot Grigios, Rieslings, Muscats, Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbecs, Merlots, and more.
Keep in Shape
While some people take a laid-back approach to de-stressing, others employ a more active tactic. Fitness brands are a part of another market segment that has experienced growth – particularly those companies whose products are conducive to home-based or outdoor activities. These include Peloton Interactive (Tii:PTON), the provider of the popular tech-enabled stationary bicycles, and Lululemon Athletica Inc. (Tii:LULU), an athletic apparel retailer who branched out into the virtual workout market by acquiring Mirror, an interactive mirror with a camera and speakers for at-home workouts. Don’t forget your wearable tech – another area that has also benefited from these trends. In this segment, Fitbit, Inc. (Tii:FIT) remains a major player.
Stream a Video or Two
The global video streaming market size was valued at $38.56 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach $149.34 billion by 2026, according to Valuation Reports, a provider of market research. That growth is accelerated as consumers continue to remain at home during the pandemic. While Netflix Inc. (Tii:NFLX) is still the 800-pound gorilla in the industry, with services by The Walt Disney Co. (Tii:DIS) and Amazon.com, Inc. (Tii:AMZN) rounding out the leading contenders, this industry is swarming with content providers vying for subscription dollars. For sports enthusiasts, fuboTV Inc. (Tii:FUBO) is there to catch all the action. The streaming service features games from all the major American sports leagues as well as international soccer. The company also offers movies and network television streaming.
Play a Board/Strategy Game
Sometimes the best way to relax is to play games with the entire family – putting away the electronic gadgets and breaking out the old-school board games. If that’s the plan, there are brands ready to help. While best known for its licensed vinyl figurines and bobbleheads, Funko, Inc. (Tii:FNKO) also produces strategy board games that take their themes from movies, comics, and other pop culture references. So, you could play a Funkoverse DC comics board game with all your superhero characters or a Toy Story card game. If your family is more interested in battling mythical beasts, Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (Tii:HAS) created and popularized the collectible card game genre with Magic: The Gathering. The company also produces role-playing games, board games and baseball, football, basketball, and soccer-themed collectible card games.
Massage the Stress Away
A great way to get rid of the stress that is tensing up your body is to seek a relaxing massage. There are many types of products out there to give massages right in your home, such as massage chairs, handheld massage gadgets and massage body lotions. In addition to providing a broad range of products for clinical use in physical therapy, rehabilitation, pain management, and athletic training, Dynatronics Corp. (Tii:DYNT) offers powered massagers, lotions, oils, and other products to improve your health. So just sit back and let those muscles relax during the holidays.
Explore the Art of Zen
On the meditation front, two leading contenders offer online services to help individuals find their Zen. Talkspace is a New York City-based leading online therapy provider that experienced a significant increase in demand after the onset of COVID-19. The other, Headspace, is an online healthcare company founded by a former Buddhist monk that specializes in providing guided meditation sessions to its subscribers. While currently privately held, both are rumored to be considering IPOs.
When the bustle of the holiday season has you feeling a bit frazzled, don’t forget to treat yourself to a little R&R – and consider those public companies in the business of stress relief as another opportunity to own the brands you love.
