Retail therapy

Our latest research reveals what exactly customers across the nation have been ordering online during lockdown.

For many people, having a parcel delivered is one of the key highlights of the day during lockdown. Indeed, just over half (51 per cent) of the 2,000 adults we surveyed, agreed that having their online shopping delivered is a ‘boost’ for them or their family, and a third (36 per cent) described the joy of receiving a parcel as the highlight of their day.

As almost half (45 per cent) of UK adults have been receiving more parcel deliveries since measures designed to limit the spread of covid-19 began, our research clearly points towards the increasingly important role that parcel deliveries play in our day to day lives.

What we have been ordering:

• Home and garden items - including home décor, garden supplies and DIY equipment – are by far the most popular category of lockdown delivery (41 per cent), as Britons have clearly been using the extra time at home to get those pesky jobs done around the house.
• However, home entertainment (33 per cent), fashion (29 per cent) and health and beauty (25 per cent) items are also particularly popular.
• When asked to name their most unusual parcel delivery since 23 March, responses ranged from home casino kits, to Venus fly traps, unicorn piñatas, to wrestling boots. Manure, a hot tub, and a full replica model of The Flying Scotsman train even made it on to the list!  
• More than one in 10 (15 per cent) UK adults has ordered a paid subscription box since lockdown began.
• One in five (19 per cent) have been embracing their creative side during lockdown by ordering arts and crafts items. This is a fairly consistent trend across all age groups and regions of the country.

Many believe that the shift to shopping predominantly online is set to continue after lockdown, as four in five respondents said they intend to keep ordering items for delivery at the same level after restrictions are lifted. Around a quarter of people said they would spend even more online once lockdown ends.

The increase in ordering online is not just among younger people. While those aged 18-34 were the most likely to have increased their online shopping habits, more than four in 10 over 55s have done the same. Online shopping is likely to remain, if not the only option, at least the safest option for the foreseeable future. As the only carrier to deliver to every household in the nation on a daily basis, people expect to see Royal Mail assist businesses and keep them connected to consumers.

Keeping the nation connected in these extraordinary times is of vital importance to us. It is perhaps unsurprising that for many customers, receiving an item that they have ordered online, delivered by one of our dedicated and hardworking postmen and women can really brighten up their day in such challenging times.