The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, including what and how we buy. In the U.S., consumer packaged goods (CPG) sales jumped by $23.7 billion in the first quarter, exceeding the entire growth of 2019. This shift wasn’t just about *how much* people bought, but *what* they were buying.
As lockdowns started, panic buying took over. Face masks, toilet paper, and disinfectants flew off shelves. Hand sanitizer sales shot up 470% in early March compared to 2019. But beyond the expected, some surprising items also surged in popularity.
10. Elastic
In the early days of the pandemic, face masks were a hot topic. With shortages of basic masks, people turned to DIY solutions. Social media was flooded with tutorials on making masks from various materials, most of which needed elastic.
The demand for elastic soared as people made masks for themselves and others. Joann stores collected over 114 million “Masks for America” through volunteer efforts. Singer even donated sewing machines to help boost mask production. No wonder elastic became a top-seller in arts, crafts, and sewing!
9. Baby Wipes
With hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in short supply, many turned to baby wipes as a substitute. Over half of Amazon’s best-selling baby products became wipes. This was a surprise, considering that sales of disposable baby products had been slowing due to declining birth rates.
However, it’s important to note that most baby wipes don’t have the 70% isopropyl alcohol needed to protect against viruses like coronavirus. A bleach solution with paper towels can be a more effective alternative.
8. Yeast
Thanks to lockdowns, about 35-40% of consumers started cooking at home for the first time. This led to a surge in baking product sales. Yeast sales jumped by an incredible 647%, surpassing all other consumer packaged goods.
Grocery and gourmet sales on Amazon also soared, increasing by 77% in early April compared to two months prior. The Walmart Grocery app even outperformed Amazon, with downloads up 460% over January, showing just how many people were getting into home baking.
7. Kitchen Scales
As more people cooked at home, kitchen scales became surprisingly popular. People discovered tools that made cooking easier and more precise. All-in-one instant pots, air fryers, and waffle makers also saw increased demand, rising by 7% from the previous April.
Other helpful kitchen gadgets like rice cookers, vacuum sealers, and soda makers also became sought-after, showing a trend toward investing in home cooking.
6. Portable Ice Makers
Consumers kept buying fresh meat and produce, but they also looked for items with a longer shelf life. Sales of frozen and shelf-stable fruit grew nearly five times faster than fresh fruit in early 2020.
Chest freezers became top-selling appliances on Amazon as people worried about supermarket shortages. With freezers in place, portable ice makers started to dominate. Unable to go to bars or trust store-bought iced drinks, people made their own at home.
5. Eyebrow Razors
With more people staying home, beauty product sales dropped overall by about 50%. However, remote workers still wanted to look presentable for Zoom meetings. As salons closed, people looked for ways to groom themselves.
Hair clipper sales jumped 166%, and hair color sales rose 23%. Eyebrow razors became a top-five beauty item on Amazon as salon services were put on hold. Men’s nose and ear hair trimmer sales also peaked, showing how grooming habits shifted.
4. Ping Pong Paddles
After covering essential needs, people looked for ways to fill their time at home. Puzzles, colored pencils, and board games became popular. Surprisingly, ping pong paddles stood out, with sales up 89%!
As the weather warmed up, outdoor items like bubbles and sidewalk chalk also flew off the shelves. Exercise equipment and even bird-watching supplies saw a rise, reflecting a need for both indoor and outdoor entertainment.
3. Tailbone Relief Cushions
As millions of people began working remotely, kitchen tables turned into home offices. This led to a surge in sales of office supplies like copy paper, printer ink, and packaging tape.
What’s even more telling is that tailbone relief cushions also made the top ten. Working long hours in makeshift home offices meant people needed extra support and comfort.
2. Streaming Sticks, Switches, and Dots
Stuck at home, people craved entertainment. Gaming, streaming, and binge-watching became essential for filling the days. Streaming media players topped electronics sales, with Roku and Amazon Fire sticks leading the way.
The Nintendo Switch Lite also gained popularity, while the Echo Dot became a must-have for voice-controlled convenience. These devices helped people stay connected and entertained during lockdowns.
1. Poop Bags
Many people adopted pets during the pandemic, finding they finally had the time to care for them. Animal shelters saw a surge in adoptions and fosters. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Los Angeles reported a 70% increase in animals going into foster care.
Pet supply companies like Chewy and PetMed Express saw their shares soar. On Amazon, pet nail clippers, flea medicine, and poop bags topped the best-sellers list. The rise in pet ownership was a heartwarming trend during a difficult time, hopefully one that continues long after the pandemic.
The pandemic changed our buying habits in unexpected ways. From baking supplies to pet products, our panic purchases reflected our new reality. What crazy COVID-19 purchase did you make? Leave your comment below!
