British retailers have witnessed a surge in sales as the nation celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70 years on the throne..
According to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), sales in the week leading up to the four-day bank holiday weekend jumped by 3.1% compared to the same period last year. This increase was driven by strong demand for food, drink, and souvenirs, as well as clothing and accessories for the jubilee festivities..
Sainsbury’s, one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, reported a 10% increase in sales of British-themed products, including Union Jack flags, bunting, and decorations. Tesco, another major retailer, saw a 20% rise in sales of picnic items such as sandwiches, salads, and snacks..
Fashion retailers also benefited from the jubilee celebrations, with Next reporting a 5% increase in sales of clothing and accessories. Marks & Spencer experienced a similar surge in demand, particularly for its range of commemorative clothing and homeware..
Online sales also saw a boost, with Amazon reporting a 15% increase in orders for jubilee-related items. Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods, recorded a 20% increase in sales of products featuring the Queen’s image or the Union Jack design..
The BRC’s chief executive, Helen Dickinson, said: .