Banner Blog

The seismic shift in working life is reflected in our Post-COVID-19 Workplace Market Report, launched today.

As the UK’s largest workplace supplies and services company, we have analysed our vast reams of sales data from 2020 to identify changing patterns in UK organisations' workplace behaviour.

It shows a 2,000% increase in headsets, and laptop sales outperforming desktop computers by 512% as people flocked to work from home. Monitors make it into the top selling list, following employer observations that dual monitors increase productivity by up to 25%. Meanwhile, companies driven to better ventilate their offices prompted a 622% rise in doorstop sales.

The battle for SMEs to create COVID-19 secure workspaces in between lockdowns, was clear. Sales of general cleaning products rose by 987% and demand for facemasks and hand sanitiser shot up by 3626%. The use of disposable items such as cups and cutlery also went up by 71%, as employers strove to avoid cross contamination.

When it comes to providing the right tech for employees, but not breaking the bank, the report highlights that the pandemic has turbocharged the rise of the subscription economy – such as for laser printer services - which is projected to rise 3600% in five years. 

The report not only charts the dramatic impact of COVID-19 on the UK’s workplace supplies and services, but identifies trends which Banner’s experts predict will continue for the long-term.

Craig Varey, Managing Director at Banner, comments: “As a leading fulfilment partner to public and private sectors, Banner is uniquely placed to see the shape of reactions across businesses, sectors and industries, and identify the trends that signify a permanent shift in the way we are working.

The turbulence of 2020 has brought some significant trends in workplace behaviour and management to the fore which we expect to impact the products we provide over the coming year. Interestingly we had seen these trends emerging prior to the Coronavirus pandemic, but like COVID’s impact on everything, the effect on these developments has been unprecedented.”