Flights of fancy among consumers

Retail: Shoppers’ top buys revealed

White trainers and decorative flamingos and pineapples are among the products consumers could not live without over the last year as selfie sticks, tableclothsandCDstorage 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 f l amingos f ound widespread popularity in British homes, with searches for the latter on johnlewis.com increasing by 200% and flamingothemed wallpaper, fairy lights, cushions and mugs all selling well.

The avocado had its moment in the spotlight as sales of avocado storage pods increased by 61% compared to the last six months, searches for avocado slicers were up 62% in May and avocado beauty products increased in popularity.

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 sawa 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%, laptops with disc drives, CD and DVD storage and selfie sticks, which saw sales drop by 50%.