Tariffs May Have Slowed Holiday Spending, but These Black-Owned Brands Are Thriving Anyway
With the holiday season well underway, many consumers are expected to spend funds on gifts.
According to the National Retail Federation, although the estimated number is less this year due to inflation and tariffs, approximately $890 is expected to be spent per person on holiday gifts, food, and decor. Nearly $628 of these funds is expected to be used towards gifts alone.
This gift-giving season, here are five Black-owned businesses to support.
Loam Candles
Based in Los Angeles, Loam was created by Jessica White, a creative who wanted to hone in on outdoor scents to create candles that can “make people feel as good indoors” as they do outdoors. Each candle is made using soy and coconut wax as well as essential oils and other fine fragrances. Each candle is also made manually and five percent of each sale is donated to various organizations that address food insecurity and environmental issues. Products include “Scenic Route,” “Full Bloom” and “Citrus Season.”
Moodeaux
The now eight-time award-winning fragrance company was born in 2021 as a way to empower people who wear their scents. Three years later, Moodeaux made history by becoming the first Black-owned fragrance brand to be sold at both Credo and Urban Outfitters. Products include the “PunkStar Supercharged SKINSCENT Dry Oil Perfume Spay,” the “Worthy Supercharged SKINSCENT Dry Oil Perfume Spay” and the “Brand New Two-Ways Layering Bundle.”
Reparations Club
Located in Los Angeles, the Reparations Club is a Black-owned, women-owned and LGBTQ-owned bookshop. Considered both a concept bookshop and a creative space, the bookshop sells a variety of titles, notably those by Black writers. Above all, Reparations Club prioritizes Black joy, holding events for literature, film and music. Along with physical copies of books, the bookstore recently partnered with Libro. Fm and Bookshop .org to begin providing audiobooks to customers. Titles available include those by authors such as Anjali Rao, Char Adams and Essence Harden.
Zach & Zoe Sweet Bee Farm
Considered a family business, Zach & Zoe Sweet Bee Farm was created to help Kam and Summer Johnson’s youngest son, Zach, with his seasonal allergies. After reading about the benefits of raw honey, the couple began using it to treat his allergies. Eventually, the family ventured into beekeeping themselves, farming pure, raw honey. Since their start in 2015, Zach & Zoe Sweet Bee Farm has expanded to multiple locations and has collaborated with companies such as Chase Bank. Products include “Wildflower Honey with Lemon,” “Wildflower Honey with Raspberry” and “Creamed Wildflower Honey.”
Jungalow
Founded by Justina Blakeney and her mother developmental psychologist Dr. Ronnie Blakeney, Jungalow initially began as a blog for her to discuss her work. The brand, which is associated with the “boho aesthetic,” is run by nine women. Focused on emphasizing nature and creativity, Jungalow has partnered with major companies such as Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Bed Bath & Beyond.
