Six weeks into the lockdown, John Lewis and Waitrose have published a report highlighting how the nation has lived, eaten and shopped since March 24 – whether working from home, keeping children entertained, planning for meals, keeping in touch with loved ones, or feeling a renewed sense of community despite social distancing.
The findings were based on new OnePoll research of 2000 representative UK adults, as well as sales data and online searches by John Lewis and Waitrose and insight from Partners.
Among the findings were that 39% of families have been spending their time playing traditional board games such as Monopoly and Scrabble, with a high demand for crafts to include needlepoint and knitting yarn. People have also been cooking and baking together, with Japanese and Thai food seeing big increases. With more people eating breakfast together, there has also been a rise in sales of teapots and egg cups.
Since lockdown, over a quarter of respondents had taken part in virtual social group activities. These included having a pub quiz (37%) or having a cocktail or drinks party (20%), with 20% eating dinner with friends or family. People have also been trying new cocktails and drinks at home.
As the lockdown eases, experts predict that there will be a move to online shopping and experiences; people wanting to create restaurant experiences at home; a focus on getting fit and staying well; support for British producers; changes to what we will want to wear and a shared sense of community and local responsibility.
Top: A new report from John Lewis and Waitrose reveals how the country’s behaviour has changed during lockdown.
