Online Delivery, Drinking in Lockdown, Consumer Spending

Available for over a year

New research from the market analysts Mintel suggests that annual spend is expected to fall by almost 200 billion pounds. Three quarters of the drop is down to spending less in transport, food services and holidays, with households estimated to be spending on average £6500 pounds less this year. As home alcohol sales are set to reach a 10-year record high, we speak to two listeners who have had their drinking habits dramatically change this year due to lockdown. It's suggested that private renters in the north of England suffer disproportionately from poor quality housing. Research from the University of Huddersfield has found that issues like disrepair, cold, and a lack of space were all exacerbated during the first lockdown - and had a real impact on people's physical and mental health. Back in June and July, courier firms such as DPD and Hermes announced they would be hiring thousands more drivers and support staff. Yodel followed suit in September and Royal Mail says it's planning to hire a record amount of seasonal staff this year - 33 thousand - usually they hire 20 thousand... However, as Christmas draws closer, will it be enough to see that everyone's presents are delivered on time...