We've covered what people in the US are buying during the pandemic lockdown, including everything from comfy pajamas and freezers to the more obvious like face masks and hand sanitizer. But Amazon is a global network of e-commerce suppliers and logistical chains, so we expanded our sales-rank tracking beyond the United States and into the site's various international outlets.
Now that we have a few weeks of data, we share below some of the more interesting best-sellers across the globe to gain an understanding of how consumers are spending their money during the global pandemic.
Brazil: Espátula de Inox Prática para Massas e Legumes Mimo Style Prata
This metal spatula/scraper has been the #1 best seller in Brazil in Amazon's Cozinha category as people look to make their own breads and pastas. It can be had for less than $4 US.
India: Kaspersky Total Security 2020 Latest Version
With millions of Indian citizens working remotely, this data protection suite has jumped to the #1 best-selling slot in the Amazon India's Software category, where it's remained for at least 2 weeks. It's on sale for about $4.50 from a normal retail list price of $26, or 1,995 Indian Rupee.
United Kingdom: OMERIL Disco Lights
While Indians are locking down their cybersecurity and Brazilians are making bread, our friends in the UK are setting up home disco lighting schemes. The Disco Lights, OMERIL Sound Activated Disco Ball Lights runs £12.99 and has been the #1 seller in Amazon.uk's "Musical Instruments & DJ" category since May 1.
Japan: あつまれ どうぶつの森 ("Come together in the animal forest" - or ... Animal Crossing)
Also the hottest game in the west, Japan is buying up the latest Japan-born Animal Crossing title for the Nintendo Switch. They, too, are spending a lot of time at home, paying off debts to Tom Nook for home and, well, doing all the things they'd normally be doing if they weren't sheltering in place.
Germany: Star Wars: Der Aufstieg Skywalkers [Blu-ray]
In Deutschland, Amazon.de shoppers are just as nerdy as we are. In Amazon.de's DVD & Blu-ray category, "Star Wars: Der Aufstieg Skywalkers" (AKA Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) has been the #1 seller since the beginning of May.
France: Magilano SKYJO, de Le Tout Nouveau Jeu de Cartes pour Les Petits et Les Grands
While people in England are having remote disco parties, our German friends are watching sci-fi movies, and Japanese quarantiners are playing Animal Crossing, the French are gathering around coffee tables to play "Magilano SKYJO, de Le Tout Nouveau Jeu de Cartes", a card game that is also massively popular in the States. It's the #1-ordered item in Amazon.fr's "Launchpad" category and can be had for 14,95 €.
United Arab Emirates: DustProof Washable Mask Face Protective Dust Disposable (5pcs)
At Amazon.ae, the United Arab Emirates outpost for Amazon's e-commerce network, people are buying up face masks as they look to avoid spreading the Coronavirus. This 5-piece set from China goes for AED 23.00, or about $6.25, and it's been the #1 seller in the site's "Automotive" category for going on 2 weeks now.
About the Data:
Thinknum tracks companies using the information they post online - jobs, social and web traffic, product sales, and app ratings - and creates data sets that measure factors like hiring, revenue, and foot traffic. Data sets may not be fully comprehensive (they only account for what is available on the web), but they can be used to gauge performance factors like staffing and sales.
Further Reading:
- Rave bandanas, yoga pants, and scrubs rise among Amazon's best-selling clothing items for March
- Of the 550 best-selling "Tools & Home Improvement" items at Amazon in the past month, 249 were face masks
- Freezers have become the hottest appliance at Amazon as people begin to hoard meat and perishables