Lockdown has entered its fifth week, leaving households up and down the country tearing their hair out trying to find new ways to spend their free time. Whether it’s trying out a new craft, getting fit, or doing some DIY, many of us will have also turned to online shopping.
Sales of wine, beer and spirits online have spiked in the wake of the lockdown, with many inline retailer’s forced to stop new customers from registering.
Sales of alcohol jumped 31 percent in March, ahead of overall supermarket sales, as pubs, bars and restaurants closed their doors.
DIY enthusiasts have also faced virtual queues, with waits of more than two hours reported on the B&Q website around the Easter bank holiday.
Online grocery shopping is booming with the sector expected to grow 33 percent in 2020 to reach an estimated value of £16.8 billion, according to the latest research from Mintel.
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While research conducted between February 28 and April 23 revealed 36 percent of Brits have increased the amount of online shopping they do.
Dixons Carphone is just one of the companies which have announced such a staggering rise.
The firm said its online sales in the UK and Ireland have seen a colossal 166 percent sales growth, compared to a 23 per cent growth in the 11 weeks to March 21.
But are you allowed to be shopping for non essential goods?
Can you still order non-essential items online?
Yes, of course you can, and you cannot be fined for shopping online in the UK if the products are delivered to your home using social distancing.
However, it seems some shops are limiting what they will deliver during this tricky time.
Argos has limited its range of goods available for home delivery, for instance.
Shopping online can be a good way to help boost small, independent shops who may have been forced to close during the lockdown.
But it seems Amazon is having a bit of a torrid time during the global lockdown.
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Amazon delivery drivers are still operating and delivering goods during these difficult times.
But in France, Amazon could now be fined if drivers are caught with ‘non-essential’ items.
The bombshell comes after a French court ruled the US-based retail giant faces a £87,000 fine following complaints the warehouses were too crowded.
Amazon must now limit deliveries within the country to IT products, food, health items and pet food.
The court imposed a fine for every delivery not meeting this requirement.
Amazon tweeted in response to the ruling: “We have heard the outcome of our appeal and remain puzzled by the decision.
“We are currently assessing the implications for our sites as well as for our employees and customers in France.”
The firm currently employs 10,000 people, working in six warehouses across the country.
The ruling only affects deliveries in France, and there is no indication such a move could be installed in the UK.
However, there have been numerous complaints from Amazon employees about working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic.
Builders at a warehouse in Darlington UK claimed they face the sack if they walk out over safety and hygiene fears.
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