COVID-19: China retailers and suppliers reported surge in demand for Vitamin C supplements
Chinese e-commerce giant, JD reported that sales of vitamin C dietary supplements on its platform were up five-fold in March, after the onset of COVID-19.
Sales of health products including vitamin C effervescent tablets, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) brand Banlangen, and Xiao Chaihu (herbal formula) saw big increases.
These supplements are used to help prevent fever, cold, and other respiratory symptoms. JD said the virus outbreak was the cause of the surge consumption, and its higher online sales was attributed to consumers preferring to order delivery online instead of going to supermarket to purchase products.
As retailers like JD saw a spike in sales of vitamin C and immunity products, suppliers of these products also saw higher demand.