Brits get fit for purpose in lockdown

BRITONS are spending increasing amounts on eating healthily, staying fit and entertaining themselves at home due to the coronavirus lockdown, according to data from internet advertising group Criteo.

It said online transactions at British retailers are 170 per cent higher than they would be usually and that the amount of money people are spending is up 20 per cent.

Olive oil has seen the biggest increase in interest from British internet shoppers, with sales up 563.5 per cent. In second place is outdoor play equipment with a 480.5 per cent increase, while video games consoles sales are up 412.9 per cent.

Marc O’fathaigh, Criteo UK country manager, said the data indicates that stockpiling of long shelf-life items such as tinned goods, soap and hand sanitiser peaked last month, and that consumers are starting to adjust to the “new normal” with a slow return to discretionary spending.

“From last week we saw an increase in spend on fashion, homeware, and with Easter around the corner, chocolate, decorations and crafts,” he said.

Last week global advertising giant Publicis teamed up with L’oréal, Kellogg’s and Reckitt Benckiser, owner of Dettol, E45 and Veet, to launch Shop Responsibly, a campaign aimed at getting people to stay at home and only venture out to buy what they need during the crisis.

Publicis UK chief executive Annette King said she wants other brands and advertising agencies in the UK and overseas to join the campaign: “We must all come together to ensure that we are doing the right thing.”