Here's What's Been Flying Off Store Shelves

Here's What's Been Flying Off Store Shelves Enlarge this image toggle caption Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Updated at 3:04 p.m. ET We've seen pictures of people lining up at grocery stores, Costco and other retailers looking for essential supplies as the coronavirus crisis deepens. At a Harris Teeter grocery store in Washington, D.C., security worker Brando Sterling said retailers can only do so much to keep up with the pandemic-driven demand, and he urged people to be thoughtful in their purchases. Here are some of the items that have seen big sales increases, according to Nielsen data for the week ended March 7, compared to the same week a year earlier: Health and safety products Hand sanitizer: +470% Aerosol disinfectants: +385.3% Rubbing alcohol: +253.8% Bath & shower wipes: +180% Thermometers: +172.3% Multipurpose cleaners: +148.2% First aid kits: +111.9% Hydrogen peroxide: +109.8% Antiseptic: +80.7% Bath & shower soap: +69.6% Toilet paper: +60% Cold & flu remedies: +55.5% Facial tissue: +51.5% Paper towels: +40.8% Cough remedies: +37.1% Antibiotics: +32.8% Supplements: +35% Vitamins: +32.3% Pet medicine: +11.7% Food, beverage and other products Oat milk: +347.3% Fresh meat alternatives: +206.4% Powdered milk products: +126.3% Dried beans: +62.9% Canned meat: +57.9% Rice: +57.5% Chickpeas/garbanzos: +47.3% Water: +42% Black beans: +41% Tuna: +31.2% Pretzels: +14.8% Kombucha: +10.1% Fruits and vegetables saw decreases: Celery: -18.7% Papayas: -6.5% Apples: -3.2%