Cyclical impact of the business cycle?

Question

What is the cyclical impact of the business cycle on durable and nondurable industries? Please explain:)

Answer 1

The business cycle tends to have much more of an impact on durable good industries.

Durable goods are goods that have use over a long period of time, such as cars, ovens, washing machines, telephones, etc.  Basically, goods that you only purchase once a year or less often.

Nondurable goods are goods that have use over a very short period of time, such as food, fuel, etc.  Basically, goods that you purchase many times a year.

Consequently, the purchase of nondurable goods are less impacted by business cycles than durable goods.  Consumers will purchase nondurable goods as necessary, whether times are "good" or "bad".  On the contrary, consumers tend to purchase durable goods when times are "good" and not when times are "bad."