Inflatable pools are driving a deluge of toy sales during the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers try to enhance at-home leisure for their children, their pets and their feet.

Market research firm NPD Canada says inflatable pool sales rose 107 per cent year over year between April and June, when widespread lockdowns were in effect.

The pools, like other items seeing a surge such as puzzles and board games, offer a communal activity for families B次元官网网址� dogs included B次元官网网址� and a refreshing distraction for kids stuck at home, said NPD analyst Joan Ramsay.

B次元官网网址淲ith the parks being closed, parents were looking for ways to provide some entertainment for their children at home outside,B次元官网网址� Ramsay said, noting prolonged school shutdowns increased the need for other activities.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 things that you can do as a group B次元官网网址� It wouldnB次元官网网址檛 surprise me if adults B次元官网网址� if not fully sitting in the pool B次元官网网址� are at least sticking their feet in to cool off,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淎 fellow I work with said that they bought a bigger inflatable pool so he and his wife can fit in it with their one-year-old.B次元官网网址�

Inflatable pools, which typically cost between $100 and $600, were among a flood of larger online purchases that included play sets and trampolines, while sales of smaller toys dropped off slightly in April and May, according to NPD.

B次元官网网址淵ou might not go online to buy one little doll but you might if youB次元官网网址檙e buying a bigger purchase,B次元官网网址� Ramsay said. B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 have the impulse purchases with your child pulling at your pant leg when youB次元官网网址檙e at the store either,B次元官网网址� during widespread brick-and-mortar store closures.

Over the past three months, pools B次元官网网址� the No. 1 toy item in May B次元官网网址� were surpassed only by puzzles, with sales of jigsaws of 1,000 pieces or more growing 150 per cent compared with the same period last year as homebound consumers flocked to the activity.

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Total toy sales rose 16 per cent last quarter, NPD said. B次元官网网址 games and consoles B次元官网网址� aimed at adults and children B次元官网网址� enjoyed a sustained sales boost of 57 per cent, yielding record numbers.

The popularity of toys and entertainment items fits into a broader trend toward comfort and convenience in the home.

B次元官网网址淭he bread-maker phenomenon is well documented. And if youB次元官网网址檙e not going to Starbucks every morning, you can splurge for a better coffee maker,B次元官网网址� Ramsay said. B次元官网网址淥r itB次元官网网址檚 getting a computer monitor so youB次元官网网址檙e not squinting at a laptop.B次元官网网址�

Recreational goods have also benefited, with Canadian Tire seeing B次元官网网址渦nprecedentedB次元官网网址� demand.

B次元官网网址淏icycles, backyard fun products (including inflatable and steel-frame pools and pool accessories) and boredom busters such as trampolines and basketball nets are a few examples,B次元官网网址� said spokeswoman Cathy Kurzbock.

At Home Depot, the B次元官网网址淟lamacornB次元官网网址� pool float B次元官网网址� a pink, inflatable llama with sunglasses and a colourful forehead horn B次元官网网址� proved extremely popular. Sturdier above-ground pools and related accessories have also enjoyed a major sales boost, the company said.

Toys B次元官网网址楻B次元官网网址� Us found itself swamped with calls for inflatable pools as sales climbed 70 per cent year over year alongside more purchases of balloons and backyard waterslides.

Books and building toys saw more demand earlier in the pandemic, Toys B次元官网网址楻B次元官网网址� Us spokeswoman Paige Exell said in an email. Now families are trying to reclaim a few gallons of summer from the pandemic.

B次元官网网址淭he recent heat wave is driving a big portion of demand, but with kids at home and no camps, and the playgrounds and splash pads closed (in some areas), parents are looking for anything to keep their kids busy B次元官网网址� and cool,B次元官网网址� she said.

Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press

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