Consumer Nondurables and Services

You’ve got durables...stuff that lasts a long time. The pyramids, Notre Dame cathedral, Tom Brady...and there’s the stuff you can buy: cars, refrigerators, jet engines, mail-order spouses.

Then you have nondurables. These are more disposable items...toothbrushes, razors, paper towels, plastic sporks, Tinder dates. They don’t last a long time. They're largely disposable. But they tend not to be very expensive.

Economists look at orders for durable goods as a good indicator of the strength of the heavy manufacturing sector. They look at orders for nondurables too, but take the number less seriously.

Demand for nondurables tends to remain steady even in times of economic stress. People still need (and can afford) things like toilet paper and Q-tips, even in the face of a recession. They may cut back, or buy cheaper brands...but the dip will be less pronounced than with durables.