Sales of alcohol, fitness gear and digital TV equipment soar since the lockdown

Research seen by The Yorkshire Post has shown that, following the non-essential travel restrictions, alcohol sales increased by a massive 371 per cent from the week commencing March 16 compared with the previous year, and increased by 300 per cent on Friday March 20, after pubs were forced to close

Digital TV orders and Video On Demand increased by 174 per cent year-on-year, whilst online gaming was up 237 per cent.

Meanwhile fitness product sales were up 53 per cent on the weekend of March 20 compared to February.

It can also be revealed that high street retailers that closed their stores before it was mandatory actually saw a 12 per cent increase in online traffic last weekend.

The findings come from the global affiliate network www.awin.com.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there was a 6% year-on-year drop in online traffic for department stores and clothing and beauty brands from Friday 20th to Monday 23rd

Although there has been a general increase in takeaway orders, the volume hasn’t been that significant. The biggest day so far (Saturday March 21) was still 23 per cent less than Valentine’s Day.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for www.awin.com, said: "We are no doubt living in unprecedented times, and there has by necessity been a massive shift in our shopping habits. As appetite for items relevant to isolation increases exponentially, retailers need to adapt and find their place in this ever-changing situation.”

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