As the UK heads towards the four-day Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend of celebrations, retailers are forecasting booming sales of party supplies and food over the coming days.
Co-op has predicted “a bigger sales period than Christmas” for the festivities, while Lakeland has sold out of its Jubilee themed tableware, and its large glass trifle bowl.
At John Lewis, sales of Jubilee products have tripled in the past week, with sales up 208% compared to the week before.
Tesco has made some fun predictions and estimates it will sell 60,000 rolls of bunting in the week leading up to the celebrations – enough to wrap around Windsor Castle ten times, as well as 50,000 Union Jack plates – enough to cover the length of Pall Mall and back nearly 20 times, 50,000 Union Jack party hats – enough for everyone in Windsor and some of their pets to have one, and 70,000 red, white and blue balloons – enough to have 90 in every room at Buckingham Palace.
In many places, there is a shortage of bunting. Retail marketplace OnBuy said Jubilee supplies, such as a 20ft Union Jack bunting, had sold out, while button badges, Union Jack tablecloths and fancy dress accessories were selling in huge numbers.
Tamreen Hasan, OnBuy’s category manager, party supplies, said: “The rate at which people are purchasing Jubilee weekend essentials is genuinely staggering, it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen.
“The public has gone Jubilee crazy. If sales maintain their current rate then we could very well see a shortage in certain items as the celebrations get closer, with bunting right at the top of the list.”
Retail analyst, Springboard, has also predicted a surge in footfall by 8% across all retail destinations over the Jubilee weekend. Economist Harvir Dhillon commented: “The upcoming Platinum Jubilee should favour retailers, with improvements to footfall over the extended bank holiday period as people stock up for celebrations with friends and family.
“Fresh food, sales of alcohol and particularly items adorned with the Union Jack are expected to perform well.”
