Father’s Day shopping habits revealed as part of new research ahead of this year’s event

Posted by james brindle | Published: 10/06/2020

New research from Central England Co-op has offered an insight into the shopping habits of sons and daughters ahead of what looks set to be a rather different looking Father’s Day compared to previous years for many families.

The specially collated data published by the retailer shows that people are more likely to shower their mum’s with gifts on Mother’s Day rather than the old man on Father’s Day. In fact, Father’s Day spending is less than half of the amount spent on Mother’s Day according to recent trends.

In terms of when shoppers pick up an item for their dad, the data from Father’s Day 2019 in Central England Co-op stores reveals the day before the annual celebration is the peak purchase time, although more people left it until the day itself last year, with spikes in alcohol and confectionery sales compared to the previous Sunday.

Chocolate and alcohol remain the most popular gifts of choice. Boxed confectionary saw a 48% increase during the three days up to and including Father’s Day, while beer/lager and cider saw a 10% increase in sales in the same three-day period, with local beer seeing a 28% increase.

Figures from last year showed that the top boxes of chocolate when it came to people picking up a last-minute sweet treat for their dads on the day itself was Maltesers followed by Celebrations.

In terms of the top lines in alcohol on Father’s Day, Henry Weston’s Vintage Cider and Peroni lager were the top two last year for cider and beer, with Jack Daniels and Cola mixes and Co-op Imperial Vodka the top selling spirits.

With some easing in the Government’s lockdown measures being made ahead of Father’s Day, it is set to be an even more special event than previous years as some people perhaps see their dads for the first time in months.

Despite the lifting of some restrictions, celebrating at home will still be the preferred option for most and Central England Co-op stores can help with some great ideas to treat the old man.

If the weather stays fine, how about a family barbecue or, with research showing a rise in people spending more time on cooking breakfast during the lockdown, how about a slap-up cooked breakfast as a Father’s Day treat?

Or, as trends show takeaway afternoon teas as one of the top internet searches during lockdown, how about putting your own ‘Gentleman’s afternoon tea’ together. Your local Central England Co-op has all you would need from sausage rolls, scotch eggs and cakes to, new for 2020, local real ales from local brewery Purity.

There is also a great selection of Father’s Day cards and gifts available such as a ‘Dad’s Stuff’ tin of biscuits (£5.50) and a ‘You Are Tea Riffic’ mug (£2).

Notes to editors

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK with interests in food, funeral, floral, travel and property investment.

Co-operatives have always been there for their communities; they were formed to protect them and help them flourish. 

Our 7,900 colleagues serving our Members and customers work hard to ensure that co-operative values, principles and spirit flow through everything we do to help support and improve our local communities.

Owned by hundreds of thousands of Members, we have over 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. 

We are proud of our reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.

We invest a percentage of our trading profit into local communities through our Community Dividend Fund scheme, have donated over £1.3 million to our corporate charity partner Dementia UK and also operate a pioneering food redistribution partnership with FareShare Midlands so unsold food goes to those in need.

Visit www.centralengland.coop for more information or follow us on Facebook or Twitter using @mycoopfood

Press office contacts: Rob Smyth and James Brindle

Phone - 01543 421390

Email - publicrelations@centralengland.coop