Post: #1

Just restating the obvious here, but profits = revenue - expenses. so we're looking at margins here, not necessarily which industries make the most money overall. In 2013, Cosmetics is the most profitable industry. Ten years ago, it was tobacco.

1. 2013: Cosmetics
   2003: Tobacco
2. 2013: Personal Care
   2003: Banking
3. 2013: Beverage
   2003: Oil & Natural Gas
4. 2013: Chinese liquor ("baijiu")
   2003: Publishing
5. 2013: Pharmaceuticals
   2003: Liquor
6. 2013: Dietary supplements
   2003: Pharmaceuticals
7. 2013: Telecoms
   2003: Coal
8. 2013: Software
   2003: Real Estate
9. 2013: Small housing appliance makers
   2003: Automakers
10. 2013: Automakers
    2003: Telecoms
11. 2013: Education
    2003: Eyewear makers
12. 2013: Funeral homes
    2003: Government freeway system (toll charges)
13. 2013: Online video game services
    2003: Wedding Photos
    

Cosmetics, in particular, have ridiculous markups (5000-10000%). SK-II facial treatment costs $1-$1.60, including R&D costs, and retails for $89, for example. Online video games, #13 on this list, have profit margins of between 50-70%.

My coworker, the resident China expert, summed it up quite interestingly to me about the general patterns he sees: Industries are becoming more female-oriented. The alcohol industry in China, in particular, is experiencing the most radical changes as their share of women buyers skyrockets and is set to overtake men within the next decade. Chinese liquor, which used to be 80-proof+, has been diluted to somewhere between 40-60 proof, most likely in response to women's tastes.

Post: #2

Having drank my fair share of Chinese alcohol, that can only be a good thing. That shit will strip paint.

Post: #3

Thanks for the ideas. Now I just need to find some cosmetics to market and open an online store.

Post: #4

Cosmetics + Personal Care are like 1 thing in a way. Interesting indeed.

What's your source btw?