Increased demand for hand hygiene products
When COVID-19 first hit the headlines in 2020, sales of hand hygiene products such as antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer soared. Around the world, retailers’ shelves were stripped bare of these products as consumers stocked up. A global shortage prompted several distilleries and breweries to switch from producing alcoholic beverages to alcohol-based hand rubs. In some countries, this was facilitated by regulatory adjustments to expedite production.
What’s the situation now?
Today, the supply issues affecting hand hygiene products have largely been resolved, but they remain in high demand. According to research we commissioned in Canada, France, Germany, Spain, the UK and USA, hand hygiene products were more likely to be purchased than any other hygiene goods in response to COVID-19. On average, 67% of adults in the six countries have purchased hand sanitizer or antibacterial hand wash due to the pandemic.
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