Booze sales more than DOUBLE in 1 week during virus lockdown as people turn to liquors, beer and wine
ALCOHOL sales have spiked by 55 per cent in the week ending March 21 as lockdown measures came into force across the US according to market research firm Nielsen.
The spike comes in spite of many liquor retailers pulling the shutters on their physical stores due to lockdown measures, though some states class them as "essential businesses".
Most people seem to be stocking up on hard liquors like gin and tequila, as well as treating themselves to a few extra pre-mixed cocktails.
Sprits sales shot up 75 per cent compared to the same period last year.
The classics come second and third - Beer is the second most popular drink, up 66 per cent, followed by wine, up 42 per cent.
Nielsen's vice president of beverage alcohol, Danelle Kosmal, said: "I suspect that the week ending March 21st will feature the strongest growth rates that we will see during this consumer pantry-loading time," according to The Drinks Business.
"Data for the week ending 28 March will be very telling, and I think it will be a better indicator of the new normal in how consumers are responding to the crisis and their new normal, centered around the home."
Astor Wines & Spirits in Manhattan, New York, reported experiencing a surge in sales across the board on all products in spite of closing its stores and only being able to trade online.
CEO Rob Fischer said: "Bars and restaurants are closed so there's no other real place to get alcohol and people are stuck at home with time on their hands so they're making more lavish meals and would like to enjoy a nice bottle of wine with it."
Due to lockdown rules and people being forced to adapt to life under quarantine virtual parties and simply being bored at home has lead to a rise in home consumption.
Temporary public closures across most states and cities include restaurants, bars and other social spaces serving food and alcohol.
States with the strictest social distancing measures in place include New York, California, Connecticut, Washington, Rhode Island, Alaska, Colorado, Vermont, Michigan, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Nevada, Hawaii.
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In Maine, violators of the "Stay Healthy at Home Mandate" are subject to up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine according to .
US deaths currently stand at more than 8,503, with 3,565 in New York alone.
Currently, New York City has the most confirmed cases of Coronavirus of any city in the world at 114,174 on April 5.
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