In addition to a huge boost in streaming numbers, the widely prevalent stay-at-home orders in the U.S. have led to a jump in alcoholic beverage sales.
According to research from Nielsen, alcohol purchases rose by 55 percent in the week ending March 21. Spirits were the front runner, with a 75 percent increase in sales in comparison to last year at the same time. Wine sales saw a boost of 66 percent, and beer sales saw 42 percent. Online sales also significantly dominated in-store sales, with a 243 percent increase.
Nielsen’s vice president of beverage alcohol practice, Danelle Kosmal, has anticipated this will be the height of the alcohol surge. “I suspect that the week ending March 21st will feature the strongest growth rates that we will see during this consumer pantry-loading time,” he told the Drinks Business.
“Data for the week ending 28 March will be very telling, and I think it will be a better indicator of the new normal in how consumers are responding to the crisis and their new normal, centered around the home.”
Other items that have seen a swell in sales are toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and pasta.
Many states have imposed strict social distancing directives to stop the spread of coronavirus, and some states will even fine you if violate the guidelines. Public places like restaurants, bars, and other spaces that serve alcohol have been shuttered—as well as theaters, bowling alleys, amusement parks, and malls.
