Supermarkets in the UK have reported a surge in sales for Coronation related party goods including decorations and food.
In the week leading up to King Charles III’s Coronation, Lidl has reported a surge in sales for party food, in particular quiches, as well as alcohol. The supermarket also said it has sold enough bunting to line the coronation procession route 75 times over.
The Centre for Retail Research has has Brits are expected to spend around £1,415.7 million on the celebrations, with £60m on formal and informal street parties. The CRR thinks overall extra spending linked to the event could reach £1.4bn, when taking into account spending on souvenirs, memorabilia and going out.
“Millions of people are now getting organise to make this event a time to remember, particularly for children,” the CRR said. “Although some nay-sayers complain about the expense of this slimmed-down Coronation, we have shown that at more than £1.4 billion, it will generate at least seven times its cost in additional demand, involving people having – at last – a thoroughly good time.”
Waitrose said its customers were also planning celebrations, with searches for coronation recipes up by over 300% in a week.
For those escaping the dull weather forecast by heading abroad, there will still be celebrations. EasyJet commissioned a study of 2,000 UK adults and found that over half of Brits have planned trips over the event weekend around destinations and resorts which will be screening the Coronation.
One in three of those going abroad said they would take decorations such as Union Flags to mark the occasion, while 21% are taking their own bunting to hang.
