Changing shopping habits due to lockdown love

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: Changing shopping habits due to lockdown love.

Bargain-hunting Brits have been saving cash while spicing up their love lives – with discount codes for adult toys hitting record highs during lockdown. 

The number of randy shoppers logging on to discount site NetVoucherCodes.co.uk to save cash on adult products was up by almost two thirds in 2020 compared with the previous year, according to new data. 

Experts from the site believe the 64% increase was driven by the pandemic with bored Britons turning to love when forced to stay home during lockdown. They have predicted the successive lockdowns may lead to an increase in demand for baby products later in 2021. 

Data released by the site shows that singletons were also targeting new relationships during lockdown with searches for dating app discounts also seeing increases. Unsurprisingly, the use of voucher codes for travel sites declined dramatically - by 81% - as did online voucher codes for business and office supplies, restaurants and days out. 

The data also reveals that searches for discounts on electrical items were up by almost half on the previous year (46%) as locked down Britons upgraded their home entertainment systems. There was also a spike in searches for discounted sports equipment - up by more than a half (51%) as gym closures forced millions to put together a workout space at home. 

Another booming sector was health and beauty with searches for home pampering products up by almost a fifth compared with the previous year (19%). Home and garden products were also in demand with searches for discounts in this area up by 4% on 2019. 

A spokesperson for NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “The pandemic has had a massive impact on our online shopping habits. Firstly, we are seeing record numbers of visitors to our site as more people are shopping online than ever before. Also, many are mindful of value so we are seeing record numbers of shoppers searching for discounts on products. 

“We are also seeing major changes in what our visitors are searching for. With millions of people being forced to spend time at home we’re seeing huge increases in searches for home upgrades and things like TVs and home entertainment systems. 

“Home gym equipment has also seen unprecedented demand as record numbers of us have chosen to set up gyms inside our homes during the lockdowns. A lot of people are also choosing to pamper themselves as we have seen increases in things like beauty treatments that people can do at home. 

“And it also looks like many people choosing to spend some of their extra time in the bedroom, as the number of voucher codes being used for adult toys and lingerie websites shot-up nearly two thirds over the course of the year - a bigger rise than any other category.

“In terms of trends for 2021 I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the lockdowns we’re seeing now sparked a run on new baby products in nine or so months' time.”