“It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the Future.”
(Yogi Berra)
Nine months ago, who would have thought there would be global/national shortages of elastic, garden chairs, pasta machines and jigsaws?
Louise Eccles wrote a great article in The Sunday Times looking back at a year of shortages, stockpiling and human ingenuity – when bread was in short supply we got baking, when exercise was restricted we bought trampolines (!!) – and bouncy castles – and Home Brewing went through the roof!!
Department store chain John Lewis in the UK revealed the Pandemic trends of 2020.
March:
Freezers up +177% as panicked shoppers stockpiled groceries (and landline sales were up 80% as workers bought equipment for their new home office).
April:
Loaf tins up 303% as homes were filled with the smell of freshly baked banana bread, sourdough and soda bread.
May:
Loungewear and leggings up 1,103% – waist up dressing and dress down Blursdays became the norm. You know who you are!!
June:
Sewing machines up 203% – make your own face masks – if you could get hold of the aforementioned elastic.
July:
Picnic rugs up 900% – eating in the park and on the local beach.
August:
Paddling pools up 970% – children going crazy at home (you too!) – get them into the garden.
September:
Christmas trees up 233% – early Christmas shopping to lift the spirit – ornaments, cards through the roof (did you receive and send more cards than since the ‘good old days’ this year?).
October:
Jigsaws up 708% – what else can you do after you’ve binged everything in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Hebrew on Netflix?
November:
Patio heaters and fire pits +2,007% – lockdowns abound – back into the garden – barbecues and pizza ovens also all a go.
December:
Board games +83% – Monopoly for Millennials! – with vegan bistros and meditation retreats now on the board.
So – you were not alone!
KR
