Russians before the lockdown bought tours and began to spend less on fitness

In anticipation of a period of non-working days in most of RUSSIA and the start of strict restrictions imposed in most Russian regions, Russians have increased spending on the purchase of tourist packages, according to data from the OFD fiscal data operator.

OFD analysts compared aggregate sales data across the country for the weekend and two business days after the announcement of the lockdown (October 23-26), the same period in 2020 (October 23-26, 2020), as well as for the comparable period a week ago, 16 -19 October 2021. Both offline and online sales were analyzed.

Experts from the OFD Platform’s Check Index analytical resource note that high sales were observed last weekend before the lockdown, but with the start of a new week, there has been a decrease in the number of purchases and active outlets. At the same time, sellers of non-food products are moving online, especially in the segments of clothing and footwear, construction and household goods, and household gadgets. Offline, there is a noticeable shift in demand for food stores.

The average purchase receipt from travel agencies (including prepayment for tours) amounted to 72.2 thousand rubles, which is 18% higher than a week earlier, and 35% higher than at the same time last year. The volume of sales in physical terms (in terms of the number of tours sold) increased three times - 320% higher than a week earlier, and 310% higher than a year ago.

Spending by Russians on services of beauty salons has unexpectedly increased - the average purchase check in them amounted to 1,270 rubles, 12% higher than a week earlier, and 20% higher than last year. Sales in value terms were up 15% higher than a week earlier and 36% year-over-year.