A new report from John Lewis and Waitrose reveals how the nation has lived, eaten and shopped during the last six weeks – since lockdown was enforced on 24th March.
Day to day life for Brits across the UK has been transformed as we’ve adapted to new ways of living – whether working from home, keeping children entertained, planning for meals, keeping in touch with loved ones, or feeling a renewed sense of community despite social distancing.
Findings are based on new OnePoll research of 2000 representative UK adults, combined with sales data and online searches from the two retailers, and insight from expert Partners. They include:
What we’ve been doing at home
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51% of people have been choosing to spend increased time with loved ones cooking and baking together
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44% have been doing more exercise at home with Joe Wicks inspiring the nation
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Self care has also extended to beauty regimes and skincare sales are up 183% while facial masks and hair treatments are up 187%
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Rising trend in video calls has seen customers investing in colourful makeup palettes, up 57% and self-tanning products have risen 41%
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The warm weather has seen 43% of us doing more gardening
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39% of us have been spending our time playing traditional board games
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A growing number of people are making their own protective face masks driving sales of elastic up 1430%
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The nation’s love of haberdashery is stronger than ever with high demand for sewing machines, needlepoint and knitting yarn.
What we’ve been eating and drinking
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45% of us say we’ve eaten differently during lockdown, including:
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Half have worked harder to use store cupboard ingredients and not waste food
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38% have snacked more
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19% are sitting at the table together for more meals
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31% have been more organised, making lists and meal planning
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26% say we’ve cooked more unusual meals. Waitrose.com searches for cuisines including Japanese and Thai food have all seen big increases
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And despite the weather many of us have enjoyed ‘comfort food’ at home, with Waitrose.com recipe searches up 44%
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27% of us have taken part in virtual social group activities, including:
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37% have had a ‘pub quiz’
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20% have had a cocktail or drinks party
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20% have eaten dinner ‘with’ friends or family
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9% have had a virtual date
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Of those who drink alcohol, 25% are drinking more since lockdown and 21% are drinking less.
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Tequila sales have soared 175% as people look to create a party atmosphere, and liqueurs are up 78% as people try new cocktails and drinks at home
