The flu season is hitting B.C. early this year. While that may cause some people to call in sick to work sooner than expected, it could also benefit sales at some businesses.
So far this year the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has detected an “unusual” amount of influenza activity in B.C. long-term care facilities (LCTF), according to an October 30 report.
“In no other season since the 2009 pandemic have LCTF influenza outbreaks been reported prior to week 45,” the report said.
October 19-25, the period covered by the BCCDC in the report, marks the 43rd week of the year.
But the early onset to the flu season could mean more sales for certain local businesses specializing in remedies to cold and flu symptoms.
Burnaby-based organic food maker Happy Planet compiled analytics from Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) showing a correlation between searches for ‘cold’, ‘flu’, and ‘soup.’
In 2014, those search terms reached their peak in January before falling steadily until October.
Happy Planet CEO Rex Sheehy said it’s easy to see how the connections between those search results can be applied to his business, which is known for producing organic drinks and soups.
“A bad weather spell will all of the sudden boost (soup) sales,” he said, adding the change in weather affects people’s attitudes and purchasing habits as well.
“Even with the buyers, they’ll see it’s starting to rain and they’ll start ordering up because they know buying behaviours will change with influences like that.”
He added Canada’s “short and intense” summer also impacts buying behaviour.
“When school starts and people get back into their routine, we certainly notice a much more steady buying pattern. And that certainly coincides with the change in the season.”
