The consumption boom has begun, and here are the 6 most popular products among American consumers

Champagne , tutus and shaving supplies were among the most popular items at higher prices in recent weeks , according to data from NielsenIQ , Refinitiv and StyleSage .

U.S. retail sales rose 9.8% in March, according to the Commerce Department , as consumers received $1,400 in subsidies and vaccination opportunities .

More Americans are getting vaccinated every day , and as spring temperatures rise, consumers in many parts of the country are starting to book air travel , hit the mall or see movies in theaters.

When consumers do spend again, they are directing their money toward some of the same types of purchases and some different ones. Sporting goods stores saw the largest growth in March, up 23.5% from the month before and proving that outdoor sports gear remains popular.

On the other hand, sales at clothing stores increased 18.3%, a change that suggests people may be refreshing their wardrobes and going out again.

Sales of skirts , jumpsuits and dresses are up

Dresses have been the No. 1 item on store shelves in recent months. They sell out at a faster rate each week than any other category, according to research from financial markets data firm Refinitiv and e-commerce analytics firm StyleSage.

The companies analyzed average sell-out rates for apparel and other merchandise on the websites of about 20 retailers from Feb. 28 to March 21. The retailers included major department stores like Kohl's and specialty apparel stores like H&M and American Eagle.

For skirts, despite almost the same discount levels, the monthly average sell-out rate in March was 21% .

Customers also flocked to other spring-friendly wardrobe items, including jumpsuits and dresses , according to the company's analysis.

Macy's CEO Jeff Gennette said sales of dresses have increased as people are having opportunities again.

jeans

As shoppers search for new clothes, many are turning to denim.

When Levi Strauss & Co reported earnings earlier this month, it raised its first-half sales and profit outlook and said it expected consumer demand for jeans and T-shirts to exceed expectations.

Chip Bergh, Levi’s chief executive , said the industry appears to be in the early stages of a new denim cycle: Skinny jeans are out, while wide-leg, baggy denim is in . The trend is being fueled by teens and other Gen Z customers looking for “mom jeans” to pair with their tops.

American Eagle Outfitters has seen a similar boom in denim apparel and expects spending to surge as shoppers return to malls.

Champagne

Champagne sales in the United States surged about 103% in the four weeks ending April 3, according to NielsenIQ.  

Champagne and sparkling wine also make up a larger share of sales at alcohol delivery service Drizly. Liz Paquette, the company's head of consumer insights, said in an interview that bubbles accounted for 7.4% of all alcohol orders through Drizly in March and April 2019. That fell to 5.6% in two months of 2020, and has rebounded to 8.4% so far in March and April of this year.

shoe

NPD's Cohen said sneakers and pajamas are items that have been increasingly used during the pandemic.

According to NPD Group's consumer tracking service, dollar sales of footwear in the U.S. fell 17% year-on-year to $64 billion in the 12 months ending February 2021.

But NPD data shows that footwear sales improved in March , not only compared to 2020, but also compared to 2019. With sunny and warm days coming, customers have a strong demand for new sneakers.

The average percentage of high heels sold on retailers’ websites jumped from 8% in March 2020 to 22% in March 2021, according to an analysis by StyleSage.

Shaving supplies

High-end shaving products were among the higher-priced items sold on retailers’ websites in the four weeks between Feb. 28 and March 28, according to research from Refinitiv and StyleSage. About 3% of shaving products sold out on average during that period, a higher rate than kitchen appliances and garden and patio furniture.

Swimsuit

Spring break trips have fueled a resurgence in swimwear sales in recent weeks, as more Americans dare to dream of poolside weekends and beach vacations in the summer.

Macy ’s Gennette recently listed swimwear, along with luggage and clothing, as one of the categories that are starting to rebound.

Summersalt, a direct-to-consumer online swim and apparel brand , said its sales so far in April are up more than 850% compared to the same period last year .

Officials said customers are eager to buy colorful swimsuits , resort wear and other new and fun items.

Consumption boom

USA