According to Forestals CEO Luke Tabone, robot vacuum cleaners were big sellers this season, with people less willing to have cleaners come home over pandemic-related caution.

At the same time, people have been spending far more time at home, meaning that robot vacuum cleaners have become a “very useful gadget to ensure the house is kept clean”.

So, what else have people been purchasing? 

Mr Tabone shares that laptop and webcam sales have also spiked, due to people working from home, and the need to communicate with family – whether they reside in Malta or overseas.

Further still, larger TVs are being purchased, Mr Tabone says, as people are spending more time at home watching television. 

With 2020 being a tough year for the retail industry, Mr Tabone is asked whether Forestals has performed as well as previous years. The run-up to Christmas is known to be a busy period, as people flock to buy the latest gadgets that have just come out, whether for themselves or as Christmas gifts. 

The outlet, which sells both electronics and appliances, has undergone a “positive” period, Mr Tabone says, which he chalks down to people spending more time indoors, which has seen them spending more on home improvements or home entertainment. In addition, people are spending more time cooking, which has led to an uptick in sales for kitchen appliances, bbqs and similar items. 

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