Condom sales have jumped in countries including China where lockdowns are easing, says consumer goods giant Reckitt. At the start of the pandemic last year, the Reckitt’s boss said people were having less sex because of the coronavirus crisis, partly due to a “manifestation of anxiety”.
Conversely, the company said sales of Durex jumped when social-distancing rules were relaxed in the summer.
In its nutrition division, which includes baby formula brand Enfa, sales in the first quarter fell 12.3%, but with hygiene sales up 21.1%, the overall sales tally for the first three months of the year stood at £3.5bn – down 1.1%.
Chief executive Laxman Narasimhan said: “Demand for Lysol and Dettol continues to be strong as consumers remain vigilant to the spread of the virus and see use of our products, and improved hygiene habits, as a way of protecting their health and regaining normality in their lives.”
It reported a “double-digit” increase in Durex sales in the first quarter of 2021, compared with one year ago. But demand for health products fell overall as fewer customers stocked up on cold and flu medicines.
Reckitt’s boss pointed out that sales for Lysol and Dettol were strong as hygiene habits improved. Mr. Narasimhan added that in countries with few coronavirus cases and high vaccination rates, people have eased off on washing their hands or using hand sanitizers, although use was still higher than before the pandemic.
For example, sales of Dettol showed strong growth in India, which is currently dealing with soaring cases of Covid, but declined in China.
“Sexual wellness” products saw a big uptick in sales in countries like China too, as well as parts of the United States and Europe. Overall supermarket sales rose by 5.7% to £31.6 billion in the 12 weeks to 18 April, marking a slowdown in the rate of growth seen a year ago when shoppers panic-bought at the start of the crisis.
