Love it or hate it, you can't deny Amazon is handy. Need a last minute present? Amazon. Run out of dishwasher tablets? Amazon. Want to invest in a blow up kayak? Believe it or not, Amazon. So since we all spend so much time shopping on Amazon, it's no surprise that the online retailer has got pretty good at predicting future trends based on our buying habits. Handy with Amazon Prime Day just around the corner.
In fact, Amazon has just released its #SmileItsSummer trend report that uses our combined shopping history to predict the products and trends we are all going to be loving this summer.
So, you are probably thinking all the usual stuff: paddling pools, BBQs, outdoor furniture, that kind of thing. Well, while we are sure we will all being buying that kind of stuff, too, the report actually showed we are a tad weirder in our summer shopping habits...
1. PET WELLNESS
We have always been a nation of pet lovers, but we're not sure we knew how far some of you were going with pampering your pets! Sales of dog nail polish (who knew that was a thing?) are up 188 per cent year-on-year, doggy beer and wine is up 260 per cent and luxury memory foam mattresses FOR YOUR PETS is up 107 per cent. Find the best pet beds in our guide.
2. FRESH IS BEST
Growing (or making) your own produce looks like it's very on trend this summer. And we clearly all love a DIY kit, from grow-your-own mushrooms (sales increase of 206 per cent year-on-year) to cheese-making (up 676 per cent). Find out how to grow your own in our guide.
3. AL FRESCO FUN
Here's the trend that proves we aren't all pet loving, mushroom growing fanatics. We are turning our gardens into outdoor living rooms this summer, with sales soaring on outdoor screens and outdoor projectors, fire pits and pizza ovens. Popular items set to transform outdoor spaces also include Bluetooth speakers (sales increase of 497 per cent year-on-year) and, the classic, fairy lights (up 527 per cent).
4. FIT-FAM
Amazon has seen a boost in at home work out equipment, with sales of boxing gloves increasing of 223 per cent year-on-year. It looks like we are dragging the kids in too. Fearne Cotton’s Yoga Babies Guide is up 196 per cent , tag-along trailer bikes 133 per cent, junior cricket sets are up 204 per cent and kids’ yoga mats looks like a product to watch this summer.
5. ‘FLY-AND-TRY’ TRAVEL
Gone our the days of lying by a pool for two weeks; the traditional family holiday is changing as Brits seek new experiences focused on wellness and adventure and Amazon products are reflecting that. Adventure backpacks sales are up 110 per cent year-on-year, wellness oils travel sets up 571 per cent and (in keeping with our need to completely escape) noise cancelling headphones are up 164 per cent.
6. GRID-WORTHY GAFF
Oooh, now here's an Amazon trend we can really get on board with. Over the years, Amazon have really upped their homeware game, and our shopping habits are starting to reflect that. Sales of indoor plants are up 226 per cent and cocktail trollies look to be a popular product this summer too.