What Are The Top Big-Ticket Items People Have Bought During Lockdown?

Nick Everything Else events 4 Comments

I recently saw an interesting survey of the main big-ticket items people have been buying in the UK during lockdown.

The YouGov survey of over 2000 adults was performed by YouGov on behalf of National Conversation Week (see below). The survey was commissioned by insurance services company Paymentshield, who sponsor National Conversation Week.

The top ten items were as follows:

1. Gadgets or electronics – 22%
2. TV – 13%
3. Games console – 11%
4. Gym equipment – 10%
5. Jewellery or watch – 10%
6. Bike – 6%
7. Expensive equipment to support a hobby (e.g. photography equipment, a musical instrument) – 6%
8. Pet – 6%
9. Garden shed – 5%
10. Art or antiques – 3%

I thought this list made very interesting reading, especially the fact that 1 in 10 people have bought home gym equipment. With gyms closed for many months due to the pandemic, it is no surprise that many of us have been investing in stationary bikes, rowing machines and even treadmills to try to maintain our fitness. I wonder whether people will rejoin clubs in the same numbers now they have this equipment at home.

I am not surprised either to see pets on the list. Certainly in my area I have the impression that many more people now own dogs. I can understand that they provide companionship, especially for those who live alone. Though I do think some of these new owners might benefit from education about how to look after their animals, and in particular the need to pick up after them 😮

I was slightly surprised to see that so many people have been buying jewellery, watches, art and antiques. I guess this may partly reflect that those of us lucky enough to have a continuing income have had fewer ways to spend it, leaving more spare cash available. I just hope the people concerned have checked that they are covered for any expensive items on their home insurance.

Finally, it’s interesting to see garden sheds on the list, with 1 in 20 buying them. I guess this reflects the fact that so many of us are working from home now, for some of the week at least. If you have the space for it, a shed can be a great option for reducing distractions and separating work life from home life. Around here I have also seen one or two mini-pubs created in garden sheds! (See cover image.)

National Conversation Week

National Conversation Week – which this year runs from 7 to 11 June – aims to get people talking in a bid to improve the nation’s well-being, at a time we are all facing unprecedented challenges. In particular, National Conversation Week hopes to encourage frank and open conversations about money. This is especially relevant at the moment, with many people having lost their jobs due to the pandemic and facing stress and hardship as a result.

As a money blogger I fully support the aims of National Conversation Week. As I’ve said before, if you have financial worries it is crucial to speak to someone about them rather than bottling them all up. Personally I am a fan of having a personal financial adviser (here’s a link to my blog post about why – despite being a money blogger – I have a personal financial adviser). But even if you don’t, talking to friends and family about money matters can help you put things into perspective and reduce stress and anxiety. You may also enjoy reading reading this article (in which i am quoted) about how to cope with common causes of stress.

Above all else, though, be kind to yourself, and don’t suffer in silence. And equally, if you know someone who may be struggling – or you just haven’t seen or heard from them for a while – reach out by phone or at least message them to check they are okay. It may be a cliche, but we really are all in this together. And pretty much everyone is struggling in their own way.

• If you are working from home right now, by choice or due to the virus, you may also enjoy this excellent piece by my fellow blogger Actual Ar about Keeping on Top of Your Well-being as a Remote Worker.

As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please do leave them below.