Icelanders Are Thirsty and Ready to Lift Ten Tons

Since a ban on public gatherings of more than 100 people was announced last Friday, the shopping habits of Icelanders appear to have changed. The nation seems thirstier than before, ready to get stronger, and more inclined to purchase food online.

A total of 416,000 liters of alcoholic beverages were sold last week, compared with 383,000 liters March 11-18 of last year. That represents an increase of 8.65 percent. On Friday alone, liquor stores sold 32,000 liters more than they did the same day last year.

Ten tons of kettlebells and dumbbells were sold on Friday and Saturday at one store alone; and there has been a four- to fivefold increase in online food purchases.

The fitness store Hreysti in Reykjavík reported that sales on Friday exceeded what is typical for December 23. Store manager Gunnar Emil Eggertsson states this can be explained by the fact that people foresee having limited access to fitness centers during the ban on public gatherings, which limits the number of customers fitness centers can receive at a time.

Luckily for Gunnar, the store had just received a container full of kettlebells and dumbbells when customers began flocking in. He has already ordered another container and hired additional store clerks and drivers to keep up with demand.

Grocery stores that offer online orders have been struggling to keep up with demand. “Sales of groceries is up four- or fivefold,” Guðmundur Magnason, CEO of Heimkaup tells Morgunblaðið . He states that meat and fish sold out over the weekend. His company has hired additional drivers, for orders are being delivered from 9 am till 9 pm. He notices the largest increase in orders among customers aged 60 and older.

Gunnar Egill Sigurðsson, managing director of Nettó stores, has a similiar story to tell. Demand for online orders soared on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, making it impossible to accept orders on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. As a result, Nettó will be hiring additional staff.