The biggest shopping trends of 2020: The surprising items that soared and crashed in the popularity stakes as Australians were forced to change their shopping habits
- Coronavirus pandemic changed how Australians did their shopping in 2020
- Changes to an at-home lifestyle saw an increase in office and exercise items
- Australians also focused on arts and crafts, hobbies and time with the family
- Sales for pasta and bread makers increased x3 and sewing machines x6
Australians’ shopping habits changed in 2020 as people stocked up on at home exercise equipment and kitchen utensils during the Covid pandemic.
Consumer trends from Amazon Australia showed that shopping in 2020 was hugely influenced by the global pandemic as people spent more time at home.
Instead of splashing cash on electronics, like in 2019, they prioritised their hobbies and family time spending more on at home gym equipment and cookbooks.
The coronavirus pandemic changed how Australians shopped in 2020, with a major focus on switching to an at-home lifestyle during lockdown (woman using a foam roller pictured)
Sales in office and exercise equipment skyrocketed while Australians also prioritised new hobbies. Sewing machine (file image pictured) purchases increased x6 in 2020
According to the study, Australians purchased six times more exercise equipment in 2020 in comparison to the same time in 2019.
Best selling at-home gym products included foam rollers, massage balls, pull up bars and lightweight speed jump ropes.
Office products also saw a sales boom with the largest growth in January before another peak in March and April.
Australians living in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland also purchased the most smart home products than ever before.
Screen time also skyrocketed during the pandemic, with Amazon’s streaming service Prime Video being used 270 per cent more in comparison to last year.
Retail expert and founder of Addicted to Bargains, Samantha Tolley, said shopping habits had changed to reflect the impact of the pandemic.
‘Stocking up on the essentials was a high priority for a lot of people but we still need some enjoyment in life,’ she said.
‘Even though we are at home a lot more, we can do small affordable things such as self-care, staying active or keeping your mind occupied with games or books.’
In 2019 the most searched items were Nintendo Switches, Airpods, books, Kindles and Lego, while in 2020 searches moved to toilet paper and face masks.
When Australians weren’t exercising, working or streaming, they also turned their attention to new hobbies.
The number of cookbooks sold increased this year while the sales of pasta makers and bread makers grew three fold.
Purchases made in arts, crafts and sewing machines also grew nearly six times more in 2020 than the same time in 2019.
Shoppers also focused on family time with sales for kids toys and books increasing in comparison to 2019. Adults also bought board games like Jenga (pictured above)
Australians purchased three times as many bread and pasta makers (pictured) in 2020
Australia saw a significant increase in toy purchases and nine out of the top ten toys for kids were all about unleashing the creative spirit.
Children’s books were also the best-selling category for books in 2020.
Shoppers even returned to old-school classics with the likes of Monopoly, Jenga and UNO topping the list of most popular toys for adults.
Amazon Australia’s country manager Matt Furlong said 2020 had ‘presented Australians across the country with challenges’.
‘We are proud of our teams who have continued to serve Australian customers during this time, delivering everything from household essentials to fun and entertaining products to keep families occupied, direct to their door.’
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