In a report published this week (July 11), the Office of National Statistics (ONS) examines how consumer spending has changed since the end of coronavirus restrictions. It highlights electrical appliances (including small domestic appliances) as one of the ‘home goods’ categories that have seen a notable shift to online sales compared to pre-pandemic retail figures.
Overall, the report recognises that consumers ‘have started shifting back towards shopping in store, although spending online remains high’.
The ONS acknowledges that increased online spending on household goods is linked to the strong housing market as people refurbish and improve their homes. Around 22% of sales of household goods (including housewares) in the past six months in this category have been online.
Looking at the wider retail picture in May 2022, seasonally adjusted internet sales accounted for 26.6% of all official retail sales, compared with 19.7% in February 2020.
To read the report CLICK HERE.
Top: A new ONS report shows that online sales remain elevated even though consumers are returning to the high street; domestic electrical appliances is one of its highlighted categories.