Inflation's impact on consumer spending will be front and center in sector’s quarterly reports, beginning with J&J on 19 April. Potential impact also from price hikes common from most firms since early 2021 in response to increasing costs. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine also will prompt comment.

Herbalife’s Asia-Pacific region led 2021 sales growth even as China sales continued to slide despite initiatives to boost business there. It reported record sales levels despite limits due to COVID-19 pandemic on shopping and other consumer activity while pandemic continues impacting supply and shipping costs and influenced 2022 earnings forecast.

Cost increases initially spurred by supply chain disruptions by COVID-19 pandemic have been noted by businesses across consumer product industries since soon after novel coronavirus spread accelerated in early 2020.  More recently, OTC drug, nutritional supplement and personal care product providers began noting inflation’s influence on costs.

Herbalife reports 46% growth in India fuels 11% sales increase to $393.5m for its Asia-Pacific region in Q3. Most regions had comparisons with year-ago quarter when pandemic stockpiling lifted sales.