Alcohol and marijuana sales have seen a dramatic spike in sales among Americans who are quarantined amid the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. alcohol sales rose a whopping 55 percent in the week ending in March 21, according to market research firm Nielsen via the Associated Press. Pre-mixed cocktails and spirits are in highest demand, with sales up by 75 percent in comparison to the same period last year, followed by wine sales at 66 percent and beer sales at 42 percent.
Are liquor stores considered essential businesses?
Though multiple states have deemed liquor stores “essential businesses” and allowed them to remain open under stay-at-home orders, online sales of alcohol are up 243 percent.
Nielsen vice president Danelle Kosmal suspects that growth rates peaked as people stocked up on supplies before self-quarantines were mandated in many parts of the country.
Have marijuana sales increased during the coronavirus pandemic?
Purchases of marijuana are trending similarly. According to Politico, nearly all of the 33 states with medical or recreational marijuana laws have seen up to 20 percent spikes in sales and deemed retailers essential businesses.
BDS Analytics reports that pot sales have even surpassed what’s typical on 4/20, the unofficial cannabis holiday that usually sees the biggest sales bump of the year.
