What is in this article?:
- 6 natural businesses boosting the economy
- Natural businesses expand, give and thrive in economic downturn
Layoffs and cutbacks—this is the reality for many major corporations around the world as the economy struggles to recover. Despite this, the spotlight's shining on natural businesses as they expand and make a difference on a local and national level.
The steady drumbeat of layoffs and cutbacks continues for major corporations across the world as they look to revive profitability in a still sluggish global economy. Consumer packaged goods (CPG) giant Procter & Gamble announced in February 2012 that it planned to lay off 1,600 employees in various roles as it shifts more of its budget towards digital marketing.
Likewise, packaged foods maker Kraft Foods—which announced last year that it would split into two separate companies—plans to lay off 1,600 North American workers through 2012. And, taking the cake, PepsiCo—which forecasts diminished earnings this year as commodity and material costs rise—announced this month that it will cut 8,700 jobs globally through 2012 and will put more money into domestic advertising for its soft drinks.
But on a brighter note, natural products and nutrition companies—benefiting from a high-growth market and steadily increasing consumer demand—are picking up some of the slack left by large-scale cutbacks by opening up new job opportunities and giving back to their communities.
Here are six companies making a difference in their local economies and beyond.