Pizza ovens, sewing machines, and robot vacuums – Verkkokauppa.com lists the trending products of the pandemic year

Sales data from Verkkokauppa.com shows that the pandemic year led Finns to invest in home offices and relaxation. Finland's largest e-commerce retailer listed the year's biggest risers in electronics and equipment. Popular items included pizza ovens, electric desks, sewing machines, and robot vacuums.

In 2020, Finns shopped online in record numbers. Compared to the previous year, visits to Verkkokauppa.com, Finland's most popular online store, increased by over ten million. The exceptional year encouraged new groups of shoppers to try e-commerce for the first time.

“More and more product categories are now seen as viable for online purchase. The shift in Finnish shopping preferences triggered by the pandemic is undoubtedly permanent. At the same time, online shoppers are just as discerning as those in-store: product features are compared and details are scrutinized, even when the final purchase is just a click away,” says Verkkokauppa.com’s Commercial Director Vesa Järveläinen.

Finns took up hobbies at home

Products that facilitate remote work, such as electric desks and monitors, have seen growing popularity throughout the year. For instance, sales of electric desks alone at Verkkokauppa.com surged by a massive 750 percent compared to the previous year.

Bright light therapy lamps and smart lighting have also found their way onto more remote workers' shopping lists. Sales of bright light lamps have multiplied this year compared to 2019.

The exceptional year is also reflected in the growth of crafts and home hobbies. The most interesting riser of the year is the indoor-compatible pizza oven, with sales up 90 percent year-on-year.

“During the pandemic, Finns started picking up hobbies at home, as seen in the massive growth in popularity of sewing machines and various craft tools. Interest in sewing machines has remained strong all year, with sales jumping 140 percent,” says Järveläinen.

Home electronics trends are also clear: automated products like robot vacuums and smart-programmed washing machines have established themselves among the top sellers this year.

One of the biggest surprises is the Relax sauna whisk, found in the selection of Finnish products at Verkkokauppa.com. This handmade whisk, crafted from recyclable materials, has seen a particular surge in popularity in December.

“Sales of reusable sauna whisks are currently exceeding all our expectations. We predict they will be a hit gift this Christmas,” Järveläinen adds.

Pandemic year risers – check out the products:

• Ooni Koda pizza oven
• Singer Legacy C440 sewing machine
• iRobot Roomba i7 robot vacuum
• Elfen Ergodesk electric desk
• Samsung Odyssey G9 49" gaming monitor
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon laptop
• Innolux Supernova LED bright light therapy lamp
• Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance starter kit
• Bosch WAWH26B9SN Serie 8 washing machine
• Relax sauna whisk and sauna scent

Additional information
press@verkkokauppa.com (Ulkoinen palvelu)

Verkkokauppa.com
Verkkokauppa.com is Finland's leading online retailer, offering a wide range of products from home technology to leisure and business needs. Operating since 1992, the company is one of the world's oldest online retailers, combining e-commerce and physical stores into a seamless omnichannel customer experience. Verkkokauppa.com's four megastores are located in Oulu, Pirkkala, Raisio, and Helsinki's Jätkäsaari district. To deliver an exceptional customer experience, the company delivers products to your door in as little as one hour, around the clock, using automation and robotics. Verkkokauppa.com employs approximately 600 people, and the company's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.