Radar Simplex identifies the objects of consumer desire in the year of the pandemic
Top internet searches tell the atypical story of a beleaguered Brazilian and his consumer dreams; among them, yoga mats, punching bags and hamsters
São Paulo, December 16, 2020 - Yoga mats, punching bags and hamsters - products that have never been on the podium of web search champions - debuted in the top positions of the Brazilian internet this year due to the restrictions imposed by the mandatory confinement in most of the country's cities. This is what Radar Simplex found, a platform that uses artificial intelligence to capture these trends indicated by online searches.
"For an atypical year, it is natural that web searches are also atypical", comments João Lee founder of Simplex, a start-up specialized in technology to increase traffic and sales conversion of e-commerces. According to him, when analyzing the main items sought by Brazilian consumers since January, the impact of the pandemic on their habits is clear. "The footprints left on the internet in 2020 prove that, in fact, Brazilians embarked on new paths, carved by the dreams and frustrations imposed by social isolation and the restrictions of a life limited to the space of their home", he summarizes.
Check below the main search highs in the last twelve months captured by Simplex Radar.
January and February - closets and stand up paddle
In a pre-pandemic moment, the closet is the ideal item for those who want to start the year well with the resolution to organize the mess. Demand for the item is 240% higher than the average of the previous 12 months. Ahead of the vacation season, stand up paddle is also on the radar, with searches 79% above the monthly average.
March - delivery and supermarket
Searches for delivery, supermarket and online shopping increase by 400% at the outbreak of the pandemic compared to previous months. Protective masks register their first appearances (49% above average), as well as alcohol (923%).
April - office chair, yoga mat and Easter egg
With many cities adhering to lockdown and companies to home office, demand targets office chairs, chocolates (650%). Yoga mats (240%) and skipping ropes (230%) gain relevance.
May - 4-burner stove, office chairs and dog
Demand for 4-burner stoves is growing among those who start cooking at home (81%). The search for office chairs (52%), tables (32%) and desks (100%) in their various formats is intensifying. Consumers are also dreaming of dogs (100%).
June - punching bags
Confined, Brazilians are forced to spend their energy in restricted spaces. And they hunt the web for items like punching bags (115%).
July - TVs
With no leisure options in the middle of winter, TVs become the main object of desire (124%).
August - protective masks and hamsters
Now mandatory in public spaces, the demand for protective masks is booming (up 246%). With the enclosed more realistic about the limitations of their space, hamsters are the pets of the moment (250%).
September - prices, rice and soya oil
The sharp - and sudden - rise in food prices in the month has consumers scouring the web for better prices (200%), particularly those for rice (870%) and soya oil (430%).
October - the return of stand up paddle
The craving for outdoor sports and the dream of future vacations lead consumers to once again visit stand up paddle offers (79%).
November - Playstation 5 and tires
The Playstation 5 is the absolute leader in searches in the month of Black Friday. Searches for the games console in the weeks of the biggest season of promotions of the year were six times more numerous than those that happen in normal periods. Tires also attracted more searches (60%) than at other times, as Brazilians gradually return to traditional work and avoid using public transport.
December * - masks and tenders
With the pandemic rebounding, masks are taking the lead in internet searches, as are tires. With an eye on Christmas preparations, consumers investigate the price of tenders (700% compared to early December 2019).
