15 Unexpected Things We’ve Been Buying More of Since the Coronavirus Crisis Hit
The phrase “eat your feelings” is one that many Americans have become intimately familiar with since the pandemic struck in mid-March. But “shop your feelings” should be lumped in there, too, because that’s what’s happening on a very large scale.
According to research site Digital Commerce 360, more than one-third of consumers shop online weekly since COVID-19 hit. That’s an increase of nearly 30% from pre-coronavirus times. With so many shoppers on the hunt for that perfect purchase that will take away their quarantine blues, a few products have emerged as bestsellers.
Take a look at some of the quirky items that consumers just can’t get enough of.
Last updated: Jan. 15, 2021
Houseplants
The level of care and attention spent on home spaces has increased dramatically since March. Spare corners have been transformed into home offices, and living rooms serve as both restaurants and movie theaters. In light of this, many people are choosing to decorate their homes with indoor plants.
Aside from the aesthetic appeal, plants have also been found to relieve allergies, purify the air and bring feelings of happiness and peace into your space.
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Loungewear
As working from home becomes more and more common, you may have noticed your ties are now outnumbered by sweatpants and pullovers. But loungewear doesn’t have to mean a ratty old pair of slippers. Year-over-year sales for ASOS’ high-end tracksuits were up 200%, reported AP News.
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Campers and RVs
Spending months inside their houses has left many Americans longing for the open road. According to the president of the National RV Dealers Association (RVDA), dealer inventories are down 20% to 30% of what they usually are during this time, reported the Chicago Sun-Times.
Roller Skates
Another hobby that’s been taken up en masse since quarantine began is outdoor roller skating. Thanks to the video-sharing app TikTok, both in-line skates and roller skates became a hot commodity in May — with some users sharing their journey of learning how to skate for the very first time. Both Moxi Skates and Impala, who sell roller skates online, reported a major uptick in sales.
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Cooking and Baking Supplies
Food soothes the soul, and, as has been proven in recent months, so does the act of making it. When restaurants were shutting down in mid-March and April, it provided the perfect opportunity for amateur chefs and bakers to up their craft and learn all-new recipes.
Bar Supplies
With bars closed across the country, Americans have been quick to improvise. CNN reported that alcohol sales increased by 27% from March to June, with cheap beers and alcoholic seltzer selling particularly well.
Along with booze, bar supplies such as martini glasses and shaker sets have been in high demand.
Self-Care Kits
From acrylic nail kits to bath bombs to face masks (not the kind you wear outside), self-care items have been wildly popular during the pandemic. In a time where everyone is struggling, the “treat yourself” mentality has definitely struck a chord with Americans.
Home Office Accessories
In mid-March, many workers who spent their days away from home suddenly found themselves in a remote job. And, with eight more hours a day in their homes, making that time comfortable was top priority.
Standing desks, ergonomic keyboards and even desktop chia pets have all livened up home offices across the country.
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Inflatable Pools
As Americans slowly began to accept that waterparks would not be opening for the summer, an alternative had to be found. Public pools were out of the question, so consumers turned to smaller, inflatable pools that could be easily set up in a backyard. However, getting your hands on one was a different matter.
According to Business Insider, kiddie pools were going fast in May, and many eBay retailers were reselling them at a markup up of 300%.
Pets
Certain times of the year are a hotbed for the pet trade. This includes bunnies and chickens at Easter and black cats on Halloween — with many of these animals left neglected or abandoned after the excitement of the holiday dies down. Now, with many adults working from home and feeling lonelier than ever, there’s been an undeniable spike in pet sales.
Although pet store sales have increased during quarantine, so have adoptions from rescues and shelters across the nation; which hopefully means that people are planning on keeping their pets long after the pandemic is over.
Frozen Food, Fast Food and Takeout
Most Americans remember the great canned food/toilet paper fiasco back in April, where certain goods were extremely hard to find in grocery stores. This included many frozen foods, which have become somewhat of a staple in these uncertain times.
In addition to frozen foods, both fast food and takeout are now the norm in many households. It’s easier to get ahold of, and, frankly, a nice comfort to have while other comforts — such as social interaction — have gone away.
Cleaning Supplies
Gloves, sprays, scrubs… basically, anything that can be used to disinfect has a special place in American households today. For many people, the practice of sanitizing countertops, doorknobs and incoming food containers has become commonplace during the pandemic, so Lysol wipes are a must-have.
Air Purifiers
Air purifiers have been popular throughout the pandemic. With an airborne virus running rampant through the population — and destructive wildfires smoking out the West Coast in September — these little could-be lifesavers have found a place in many homes.
Exercise Equipment
At-home gyms spiked in popularity when real gyms shut down. And while some have simply accepted the fate of losing their “gains,” others have been very proactive in buying home exercise equipment to stay pumped during the pandemic.
Puzzles and Games
Puzzles, crosswords and board games have made a comeback for many families, who are in need of ways to keep their kids busy. But what’s really stolen the show is some very well-timed video game releases, such as Nintendo’s Animal Crossing.
The fifth installment in the series, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” became available on March 20, and fans were clamoring to get their hands on both the game and the console it’s played on. Nintendo reported a mind-boggling 541% increase in quarterly profits from the year before and a net income of $1 billion.
So far, more than 22 million copies of the game have been sold.
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