Staycations drive a roof box boom

BOOMING demand for roof boxes and cycle carriers helped sales at Halfords rocket as holidaymakers shunned trips abroad in favour of camping ‘staycations’.

Halfords said sales among its ‘travel solutions’ – the term for motoring accessories – jumped 8.2pc higher in the 20 weeks to August 18 as Britons opted for camping holidays in the face of poor exchange rates from the pound. Overall sales increased 4.8pc while like-for-like retail sales rose 2.7pc.

Halfords’ roof boxes, which sell from £109 to £999, have been particularly popular.

They allow drivers to carry extra luggage on top of their cars and are typically made from plastic. Expensive boxes have a more complex locking mechanism and are typically more aerodynamic, which cuts fuel bills.