Outbreak boosted sales of solo activities, eye makeup and meal kits

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Outbreak boosted sales of solo activities, eye makeup and meal kits

Published: 28 Jun. 2020, 17:06

Deliveries are processed at a CJ Logistics distribution center. [CJ LOGISTICS]

The Covid-19 outbreak has changed Koreans' consumption patterns when it comes to dining, exercising and appearances, according to data released in a report by CJ Logistics on Sunday.

Based on orders delivered by the logistics company, the report's findings included the fact that customers spent less on skin makeup products, while purchasing more eye makeup and nail products as masks became part of the daily uniform.

Sales of foundation, concealers and powders in March and April fell by 18 percent on year, while sales of blushers, primers and makeup base declined by 8 percent. During the same period, sales of eyebrow products more than doubled, jumping by 103 percent, while mascara rose by 60 percent and nail products by 45 percent.

Sales of soap and hand sanitizer dispensers skyrocketed 291 percent and hand cream rose by 53 percent.

The popularity of mobility equipment also rose as people changed their patterns to avoid crowds. Sleeping pads for campers jumped 329 percent on year, while camping equipment sales grew by 144 percent. Navigation device sales rose 80 percent.

Sales data also reflected an increased desire to avoid public transportation. Mobility equipment became sharply more popular, with kickboard sales rising 120 percent and motorbike equipment up by 108 percent. Sales of bicycle equipment also grew by 60 percent.

More people dining at home has prompted sales of meal kits, or pre-portioned ingredients, to skyrocket.

Tteokbokki, or spicy rice cakes, meal kits led the growth with a 282 percent increase in sales. Meal kits featuring gopchang and makchang, which refer to cow intestines in Korean, followed with 200 percent growth.

And sales of coffee machines rose 165 percent while coffee capsules increased 79 percent.

At the same time, people invested more in working out at home.

Exercise equipment saw a major sales jump in general, led by treadmills with 266 percent, steppers with 162 percent and dumbbells with 140 percent. Sales of detox products, like detox water, powder and cleanse juice, spiked 114 percent.

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]