Surge in BBQ and garden furniture sales as the UK gears up for next phase of lockdown roadmap

There has also been a rise in BBQ equipment sales.

Retailers have seen a surge in sales for outdoor furniture and barbecues as people prepare to start meeting in private gardens again.

Asda, B&Q and Sainsbury’s have all seen a significant uptick in custom ahead of the next stage of Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown.

From March 29, Britons will be allowed to meet outside, including in private gardens, either in groups of up to six or two households together

Asda said its outdoor category has seen an increase of 600 per cent year-on-year, a spike driven by a huge demand for barbecues, which have also seen an increase of 1,337.1 per cent.

The rise in BBQ equipment sales was largely facilitated by last week’s figures, which were up 883.5 per cent compared to the week before as the UK gears up to see friends and family in gardens again.

Asda also reported that it had experienced a strong demand for garden accessories with sales of patio and lounge sets also up 642.2 per cent year-on-year.

The store said: “Shoppers are busy sprucing up their gardens and outdoor living spaces to welcome family and friends once Covid restrictions on outdoor gatherings in England are eased later this month.”

New figures from B&Q found that people were buying more garden furnishing “in order to socialise with friends and family.”

The store’s survey of 2,000 people found that nearly half of homeowners (46 per cent) improved their gardens during lockdown.

Of those interviewed, 27 per cent said they are preparing for when they can socialise with loved ones.

Sales data from the home-ware and DIY store showed that outdoor tile sales went up 462 per cent year-on-year, while fairy lights went up 56 per cent, as people strived to create vibrant spaces in their gardens. 

Although Sainsbury’s saw a 351 per cent in its garden furniture sales and 516 per cent for garden sets in comparison to this time last year - it also saw a spike in its websites popular searches.

A spokesperson for the supermarket said: “Garden furniture has seen a massive increase in searches (+1630 per cent) as well as ‘BBQ’ (+45 per cent), both in comparison to this time last year.”

Rob McWilliam, chief financial officer at Asda, told the Times: “Some households will be in the fortunate position of seeing their disposable incomes rise during lockdown due to a lack of spending opportunities.

“After spending months apart from families and friends, it’s understandable that they want to spend money on getting their gardens ready in time for warmer months ahead.”

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