What is the "lipstick effect", and why is it important?

Dien,

This one falls far from the 'lipstick' category, but it was interesting to watch a Vancouver, BC news report a few nights back on a group of parents camping outside of a building last Friday, intent on being among the first 44 people in line Monday morning.

Mind you, this is during the worst snow storm to hit Vancouver in maybe 50 years. And, this is a group of affluent parents pitching tents and bundling-up outside on the pavement.

Because of the extreme weather conditions, the building owner decided after a few nights to let them camp inside the building.

Anyway, the parents were out there hoping to get a spot for a son or daughter in a local primary school. And these same parents have been paying big bucks for their kids education. Especially to learn French.

So my two cents would be primary education and related services that seem to be holding up well, at least in some areas.

Vancouver also hosts about 40,000 ESL students every year. And is unlikely to see much of a drop-off in the cash these foreign students are spending.

Which reminds me of a friend of a friend from Japan who used to shop at a local goodwill store. He could spend maybe $30 on used t-shirts, pants, shoes, you name it, to sell back home in Japan for $800 and up. It was amazing to see the stuff that would pay for his trip and then some. Like a smaller pair of Levis with a particular large V. Whatever, I doubt this 'fashion' market has slowed down much these days either.

Cheers,

Rod