Canada's coffee, condom, and pregnancy test sales have increased during pandemic

May 13 2020, 7:44 pm

Data shows that Canadians are changing their purchasing patterns to adjust to the “new normal” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to recently released statistics from Statistics Canada, the sales of alcohol and coffee, along with sexual health and family planning products such as condoms, contraceptives, lubricants, and pregnancy tests have been way up during the coronavirus pandemic in Canada.

“As Canadian consumers adapt to staying at home, new behaviours and shopping habits are evolving to reflect the new reality,” reads a report by Statistics Canada.

In most places across the country, bars and restaurants were closed down for in-person service in mid-March, so Canadians have taken to purchasing their own alcohol and coffee at home, in notably higher levels than 2019.

Sales of alcohol increased 76% in the third week of March compared to the same time last year.

In addition, according to the report, “at the same time, Canadians turned to home coffee brewing as access to coffee shops was limited, with sales of coffee filters increasing 68% in the week leading up to April 11 compared to the same period a year ago.”

pandemic Canada

Statistics Canada

Family planning products also saw a significant spike along a similar trajectory, with condoms being purchased well above historic levels during the onset of the pandemic, and then returning back to normal in subsequent weeks.

The sale of condoms, contraceptives and lubricants increased 41% in the third week of March.

pandemic canada

Statistics Canada

During the pandemic, Canadians have been purchasing more products overall, with retail grocery sales up 40% for the week ending March 21 compared to the previous year.

pandemic Canada

Statistics Canada

Other products that Canadians have purchased more regularly during the pandemic include health products such as masks, gloves, and sanitizer, cleaning products, hair styling products, baking products and non-perishable food items like pasta and canned food.

According to the report, “purchases at grocery stores spiked during the first three weeks of March, but stabilized by the end of the month as no shortages were anticipated.”

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