Early autumn surge in cold remedies reshapes seasonal shopping trends

Demand for cold remedies and common cold products has surged this autumn, with sales peaking earlier than usual. Data from Kooper, a popular online retailer, shows a clear shift in buying patterns compared to last year. Customers are stocking up on everything from pain relievers to herbal drinks, with certain cities leading the trend.

The busiest month for purchases moved from October in 2023 to September this year. Moscow accounted for the highest share of orders at 30%, followed by St. Petersburg (11%), Novosibirsk (4%), Yekaterinburg (3%), and Tyumen (2%).

Pain and fever relievers dominated sales, making up 43% of all cold symptoms remedies. These products averaged 312 rubles each. Antiviral medications followed, representing 26% of the category at an average price of 500 rubles.

Herbal teas also proved popular, costing around 149 rubles on average. The top-selling item was a ginger and sea buckthorn drink, priced at 147 rubles. Experts note that ingredients like ginger, honey, and lemon may help ease symptoms of respiratory infections.

Medicines made up 95% of purchases in the immune-support segment, while drinks accounted for nearly 5%. The average bill for these items reached 847 rubles this season. Around 7% of shoppers also bought related products, including sports gear and sleep aids.

The data highlights a growing interest in both traditional medicines and natural remedies for seasonal illnesses. With demand rising earlier than before, retailers like Kooper are seeing a broader range of products in customer baskets. The average spend per order has also increased compared to previous years.