Nielsen: Sales are skyrocketing in these categories due to COVID-19
So now that we are in a new reality, COVID19 certainly has changed the retail landscape.. the following is what sales have actually benefited from the new normal…
By Dan Berthiaume – 03/31/2020 Reprinted from Chain Store Age
Consumer demand for key products is rising well into three-digit growth rates compared to 2019.
According to Nielsen total U.S. dollar sales data, sales of some items in the health/safety/cleaning, food, beverages, pet, and beauty products categories for the one- and four-week periods ending Saturday, March 21, 2020, are up dramatically year-over-year. Following are some highlights from each category:
Health, safety & cleaning products
Bath tissue (toilet paper) sales were up 123.5% for the one-week period
ending March 21, 2020 compared to the same week the previous year and
rose 98.9% compared to the prior four-week period. Bath and shower wipes
climbed 145% for the one-week period and 151.5% compared to the
previous four-week period.
Sales of cold & flu remedies increased 192.2% for the one-week period and 100.4% for the four-week period.
Food
Dried beans proved a popular food item, increasing 377% year-over-year
for the one-week period ending March 21, 2020, and 169.1% for four-week
period. Other easily prepared food products with a long shelf life were
also big sellers. For example, rice: sales grew 234.1% for the one-week
period and 117.6% for the four-week period. Shelf-stable tuna sales grew
245.6% for the one-week period and 109.7% during the four-week period.
However, sales of perishable spiral hams, which are also a traditional meal for the upcoming Easter holiday (April 12), shot up 622.1% year-over-year for the one-week period ending March 21, 2020, and 161.8% for the four-year period. Easter did not occur until April 21 in 2019.
Beverages
Orange juice sales rose 73.2% for the one-week period ending March 21,
2020, year-over-year and 28% compared to the prior four-week period.
Packaged coffee showed nearly identical patterns with 73.3% growth over
the one-week period and 28% gain over the four-week period.