We’ve all done it; swiped Buy it Now because we’re bored. With recent ONS data showing the average disposable income in the UK increased by £700 per household in 2020 compared to 2019, Share to Buy analyses how much the average Brit spending habits have changed during the lockdown periods and the top most impulsive splurges of 2020.
According to Barclays, Brits spent a total of £40.6 billion on dispensable items to make their time at home more enjoyable during lockdown. This spending works out to an average of £771.34 per person. Interestingly, around one third (33%) of UK spenders said that their purchases made lockdown more enjoyable.
Over half of Brits (54%) have said that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused “minor, moderate or major” decreases in their spending. Most of those cutting back are in the 25-to-34-year age group (62%). Younger adults in the 18-to-24-year group were most likely to have made “major” cutbacks in spending (16%).
While the nation has been spending less overall, specific categories have seen a surge in purchases:
Share to Buy analysis shows UK’s top 10 impulsive lockdown purchases in 2020 include:
- Takeaways
- Summer Clothes
- Outdoor Plants
- Baking Ingredients
- Spirits
- Loungewear
- Paint
- Make-up
- Nightwear
- Entertainment Subscriptions
