Marks & Spencer reveals new shopping habits

The British retailer said that the demand for home clothing, sleepwear and bras has increased, but office suits have become less in demand.

Most of the Marks & Spencer home apparel and goods stores in the U.S. have been closed since March 23 due to quarantine, but the retailer’s online business has continued to grow. Assessing in its annual report how quarantine has affected the shift in customer priorities, Marks & Spencer notes that consumer habits have changed dramatically since last year. 

Suits for the office, as well as ties and similar items of clothing, have almost ceased to sell. But the purchase of sleepwear, as well as home wear, including such comforting items of clothing as sports pants, sweatshirts, and leggings, has increased dramatically since the introduction of quarantine. People spend a lot of time at home and want to feel as comfortable as possible. 

This includes a 60% increase in online sales of bras and a 125% increase in pajamas. Categories such as children’s shoes, whose sales have increased by 98%, bedding – whose sales have increased by 150%, and towels – by 185% also showed growth.