Selfie sticks pushed out of fashion by decorative flamingos

REPORT: Shopping giant reveals the items that people cannot live without

White trainers and decorative flamingos and pineapples are among the products consumers could not live without over the last year as selfie sticks, tablecloths and CD storage racks fell out of fashion, according to a report into a year in the life of the British shopper.

Statement water bottles, wireless headphones, the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer and designer light bulbs sent sales soaring at John Lewis, its annual retail report reveals, and sales of white Converse trainers were higher than any other women’s shoe line.

Ornamental pineapples and flamingos found widespread popularity within British homes, with searches for the latter on johnlewis.com increasing by 200% and flamingo-themed wallpaper, fairy lights, cushions and mugs all selling well.

Jeremy Corbyn inspired an 11% increase in sales of red socks last September when he was pictured wearing them on the eve of his first party conference speech as Labour leader.

And sales of quilted navy jackets similarly saw a 447% lift after Prince George wore one on his first day of nursery.

Sales of gin increased by 103% after the Brexit vote and in July sales of portable mobile chargers soared by more than 200% as Pokemon Go players scoured the nation for the digital creatures.

Among the items to fall out of favour were tablecloths, down 10%, Valentine’s Day chocolates, laptops with disc drives, CD and DVD storage and selfie sticks, which saw sales drop by 50% on the year before.

Orders placed with John Lewis via smartphones increased by 60% over the year.

Many customers even bought a new phone on their mobiles, and 20% of all iPhone 7s were bought via an iPhone during the first three weeks of the latest device’s launch.

John Lewis director of shop trade, Maggie Porteous, said: “It’s clear to see the impact of what has been a disorientating year on what our customers have been buying in 2016.

“Shoppers have been increasingly drawn to bigger and bolder trends, with clashing colours and prints, copper hues and even pink flamingos proving exceptionally popular.”

Shoppers have been increasingly drawn to bigger and bolder trends. MAGGIE PORTEOUS

Items up and down in popularity during 2016.