Italy's New Year in lockdown drives food sales up

Italian food retailers have welcomed an increase in sales during the holiday period, partly due to more people cooking at home during lockdown.

With more people forced to stay and cook in their houses over Christmas as opposed to eating out, retailers are benefiting from a surge in demand for fresh food and other ingredients.

Although Italy is technically already in a lockdown, it's due to go into a stricter one known as the 'red zone' on New Years Eve.

This year, Italians are not allowed to hold large gatherings with friends and families to welcome the New Year with the trational "cenone," or big dinner, but small gatherings are allowed.

Parties and concerts in squares, which are common in Italy during the New Year, are banned for this year's celebrations.

With small groups gathering together, people are hitting the markets to stock up.

Italy's traders' association, Fida-Confcommercio, recorded an increase in sales of 20% for Christmas celebrations and expect a similar outcome for the next days.

With grocery stores and supermarkets welcoming increased sales; restaurants, shopping malls and some markets have suffered badly from lockdowns due to prolonged periods of closure.

As of Wednesday, Italy added 575 coronavirus deaths and 16,202 new cases.

Italy's death toll remains high two months into restrictive measures.

A total of 73,604 coronavirus deaths have been confirmed since February, the highest number in Europe.

Image credits: AP