Eco-friendly product sales surge on climate change awareness
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Environmentally aware consumers moved away from one-use plastics this year as climate change activism hit the headlines, sparking a surge in sales of eco-friendly items.
Sales of reusable straws increased 1,573 per cent at John Lewis due to heightened awareness of the environmental impact of single-use plastics.
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Reusable water bottle sales were up 15 per cent and portable cutlery sales increased 176 per cent.
“Looking back over the year, it would be wrong not to mention the nation’s growing concern for environmental challenges,” the John Lewis Retail Report said.
“Glastonbury made the decision to ban single use plastics for the first time this year. Our own data paints a picture of shoppers becoming increasingly mindful about the purchases they make.”
The environmental trend continued into home ware as consumers sought out botanical plants, with sales surging 43 per cent between August 2018 and August this year.
Elsewhere in the home, sales of smart doorbells increased 51 per cent and shoppers sought comfort with a 129 per cent jump in loungewear sales and 187 per cent increase in sales of linen bedding.
The prevalence of smartphones saw camcorders sales fall 33 per cent, a 20 per cent decline in landline phone sales and a 30 per cent drop in the sale of mantel clocks.
Following the chaos sparked by drones at UK airports in December last year, the department store removed the products from sale.
Meanwhile in the retailer’s fashion business, wide-leg culottes were on trend with a 51 per cent surge in sales and shoppers snapped up printed dresses, which saw a 20.4 per cent increase.
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Clutch bags fell out of favour and sales declined 61 per cent as John Lewis removed the item from their own brand of women’s accessories range. Beauty conscious consumers sparked a 26 per cent increase in SPF moisturiser.
Cocktail shaker sales declined 20 per cent but drink trolley sales were up 136 per cent and spirit measure sales were up 33 per cent.
Main image credit: Getty