(ConservativeHub.com) – There’s nothing quite like a pandemic to suddenly make everyone want to prepare for the worst. That’s especially true when supply chain struggles and rolling lockdowns make it nigh impossible to access what you need to get by. You grab what you can now and stockpile it for later whenever you can’t predict what tomorrow will bring.
This attitude is also responsible for changes in the market and the increased popularity of certain goods. Paper products and hand sanitizer were in particularly high demand at multiple points.
Frankly, it’s difficult to blame people for stocking up on these items. No family wants to suddenly face the dreaded moment when someone discovers only an empty roll during bathroom time. And cleanliness does have its merits, especially during a pandemic.
But paper products weren’t the only commodities to rise in popularity. In addition to a new demand for facemasks, there were also considerable upticks in the second-hand clothing and toy markets as Americans sought to cut costs and stay entertained at home. Water filters, board games, puzzles, webcams, books, and video game consoles also ranked high. These simple creature comforts helped people (especially exhausted parents) cope and stay connected.
For others, quarantine was the perfect time to turn over a new leaf. Increases in demand for gym equipment, including ellipticals and treadmills, reflected this. Self-care items were also high on the list for many shoppers, as were loungewear and ergonomic office equipment.
And just in case you were curious, certain online shopping platforms grew in popularity right alongside this list of products. Both Amazon and Walmart directly profited from these sales increases, even when the former temporarily limited shipping to essentials.
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