How binge-watching in lockdown changed our shopping habits: sales surge for chess sets thanks to The Queen’s Gambit, and berets as seen in Emily In Paris … but suitcases are out
- Searches for ‘new baby’ on John Lewis are nearly four times the number a year ago
- There has also been a 45 percent increase in sales of large flat screen TVs this year
- ‘Netflix effect’ would have triggered a sales impulse for items such as chess sets
Lockdown has taken our home entertainment to a new level – and not just by watching TV and streaming services.
Because if our shopping habits have something to offer, a baby boom is on the way.
Searches for ‘new baby’ on the John Lewis website are nearly four times the size of a year ago.
There has also been a 45 percent increase in sales of large flat screen TVs, for those who have sought entertainment in the living room rather than the bedroom.
Lockdown has taken our home entertainment to the next level – and not just through TV viewing and streaming services
Sales of large flat screen TVs are up 45 percent, for those who have sought entertainment in the living room rather than the bedroom.
The ‘Netflix effect’ would have sparked a sales boost for items such as chess sets, thanks to The Queen’s Gambit, and berets, as seen in Emily In Paris.
However, the 65 percent increase in beret sales may also be due to attempts to cover up lockdown hair.
The shift to working from home has driven the demand for casual wear – with sales more than tenfold – and espresso machines up, but the need for alarm clocks and high heels has decreased.
The ‘Netflix effect’ is said to have spurred items such as chess sets, thanks to The Queen’s Gambit (pictured), and berets, as seen in Emily In Paris
Fitness equipment limitations have pushed up fitness equipment sales, but the inability to vacation for many of us has led to a decline in the demand for luggage.
Working from home also allowed people to shop secretly online during shifts, with internet orders now accounting for nearly 70 percent of John Lewis’ sales.
The annual report How We Shop, Live and Look states: ‘Next year we will see signs of a baby boom. And we’ve freed ourselves from the tyranny of the waistband, we felt comfortable keeping it casual. ‘
Simon Coble, John Lewis’s Director of Trade, said: “The world is a very different place from January.
‘This year we stayed indoors, squatting, decked out and redecorated our houses. There are many lessons we have learned, from spending time with loved ones to enjoying the simpler things in life that will stay with us. ‘