Retail has been affected in a number of ways by Covid-19 but it is not only non-perishable food items that are increasing in sales, according to GfK.

Purchases of paint jumped 12.9% last week compared with last year, while building materials rose 12.2%, and tools and equipment 9.8%.  Likewise, purchases of plants, seeds and bulbs are up 35.4% over the same week last year. 

Kelly Whitwick, UK retail lead for market insights at GfK, said: "With more of us confined to our homes, the opportunity to undertake home improvement increases – as does our urge to make our home environment as attractive and calming as possible, and our need for domestic activities to combat the boredom.

"A large proportion of the growth we’re seeing is coming from online sales, as Britain’s shoppers take heed of the government’s social distancing advice."