This is how dominant the virus is in our online shopping cart

Lockdown, distance rules, disinfectants in the supermarket: the coronavirus has turned our lives upside down. An evaluation by Digitec Galaxus now shows for the first time how dominant the pandemic is in our shopping carts. For this, the online retailer has compared the weekly sales of over 2000 product groups since the beginning of January with the respective week in the previous year. The top 10 products with the greatest percentage sales growth at Digitec and Galaxus reads like a drama in eight acts.

Week 1: The calm before the wave

News of a new type of viral disease in faraway China has spread through the media. In the shopping cart, this is hardly noticeable yet: Digitec and Galaxus customers are buying 23 times as many used cell phones as in the first week of 2019 - apparently a new trend. And they are pleased that the range of sweets has been expanded.

Week 4: Something is brewing

On January 13, the first infection outside China is confirmed in Thailand. On January 23, the first officially reported case outside Asia follows in the USA. At the end of January, the first Swiss consumers get an inkling of the seriousness of the situation and stock up on disinfectant and masks as a precautionary measure. At the end of January, Digitec Galaxus sells 114 times as many masks and 66 times as much disinfectant as in the previous year. Most of the supplies are quickly sold out.

As of now, erotic articles are experiencing a boom; from provocative panties and corsages to love toys, lubricants and condoms. The reason for this is probably the emergence of social distancing: We are spending more time at home - whether alone or as a couple.

Week 8: The virus reaches Switzerland

On February 25, the first Swiss resident tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Ticino, and more follow daily. Now it's blow after blow: on February 28, the Federal Council bans large events with more than 1,000 people. The Swiss now buy even more disinfectants; in total 140 times as much as in the previous year. The first employees go into the home office - and put a letter tray on their office desk for the sake of order. Keyboards, computer mice, webcams and the like are also selling like hot cakes.

Week 9: The beginning of the hoarding purchases
On March 1, the Federal Council launches its campaign "How to protect ourselves" with recommendations on hygiene and distance. The media are now reporting incessantly on the latest developments. The Swiss are now hoarding food - at Galaxus, for example, pasta or nut bars. And they are already preparing for really tough times with a camping stove.

Week 11: Mountains of toilet paper

On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the event as a pandemic. Now the Swiss are hoarding toilet paper: more than 90 times as much of it is sold at Digitec Galaxus this week - a record. The masks and disinfectants added to the range are going almost faster than Digitec Galaxus can stockpile them.

Week 12: I need a haircut!

On March 16, the government decides on a lockdown: restaurants, bars, clubs and many stores will be closed with immediate effect - including hair salons. Quickly, many can no longer stand it with their mane - and lend a hand themselves with their new hair scissors. The trend will intensify in the coming weeks.

The lockdown has resulted in an enormous rush at Digitec Galaxus: In mid-March, it takes an average of three days longer than usual for orders to reach the online retailer's customers. In the following two weeks, it therefore strengthens its logistics with over 200 new workers, gradually reducing the backlog. In customer service, too, the retailer can barely keep up with all the requests.

Week 13: I can't stand it in this apartment anymore!

Half of Switzerland now works from home. We spend so much time in our own four walls that the stains on the walls, the scratched wooden table or the gray grout are getting on our nerves more and more. With their newfound time at home, the Swiss start renovation work - and many a person becomes a musician, a gardener or a painter. Mouth masks are now completely out of stock at Galaxus.

Week 18: We meet behind acrylic glass

In mid-April comes the trend of acrylic partitions. These are especially popular with companies whose employees can not work in the home office. Because from April 27 hairdressing salons are allowed to reopen, hair scissors are now hardly in demand.

Week 20: The mask supply comes

The Federal Council has decided on further relaxations: Since May 11, for example, restaurants can serve guests again under certain conditions. In addition, all retailers are now allowed to open their doors again. And Digitec Galaxus is finally receiving a larger supply of mouth masks. In wholesale, however, it's still like the Wild West. (pd/swi)