Poll Results: Impulse tracking

Home improvement retailers have made a name for themselves in the past two months for providing essential products to DIYers and pros. But, of course, there are tens of thousands of items in a hardware store. And sometimes, the customer makes an unplanned purchase.

HBSDealer’s weekly poll question asked readers to look back to the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak and tell us, “what impulse items are customers buying?”

Top item: personal protective equipment.

Here’s the breakdown, after more than 200 votes:

Masks/personal safety, 27%;
Cleaning products, 21%;
Snacks or drinks, 16%
Plants and garden, 15%;
Made in USA products, 6%;
Pet products, 5%;
Housewares, 4%;
Flashlights, 2%;
Hand tools, 2%

The poll remains active on the right side of this page. Or scroll down your mobile device.