PEOPLE ACROSS Ireland have been spending more on junk food and far less on cosmetics and hygiene products since the pandemic began.
It appears we are all going to come out the other side of lockdown heavier and less well-groomed as new data from supermarkets and pharmacies reveal how our spending habits have changed since the first lockdown last March.
Data collected by RTÉ News reveals that, as a nation, many of us are keeping up with the baking frenzy which began last March, with Lidl stating flour sales are still 200% above normal levels.
Crisps and microwave popcorn sales have surged by 60% in Aldi, and SuperValu reports a 60% rise in the sale of large chocolate bars and 40% in the sale of Ice-Cream despite the wintry weather.
And with all of us stuck at home with no events, nights out or dates to go to, many pharmacies and supermarkets have been reporting a drop in the sales of makeup and even, in some cases, deodorant.
Boots reported a drop in the sales of cosmetics, hairspray and lipstick, but an increase in luxury bathing products; some supermarkets revealed the sale of men's deodorant has dropped.
People's mental health struggles over the past year have also been reflected in the RTÉ report, with a 30% rise in people prescribed anti-depressants, anti-anxiety and sleeping medicines.
But when it comes to our physical health, the number of antibiotics sold since the pandemic began has dropped by half, and STI medicines have also seen a 40% drop.
See More: Junk Food, Parmacies, Report, Supermarkets
