10 unlikely items that are flying off the shelves during the coronavirus pandemic

Crystal Cox / Business Insider

• Many retail stores are hurting during the coronavirus pandemic, but some unusual items are experiencing a bump in sales.
• Here are some of the top-selling items during the pandemic that you might not expect.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

US retail sales have been hard hit during the coronavirus pandemic, with an 8.7% drop in retail sales from February to March, but some unusual items are selling better than expected.

As the pandemic persists, consumer habits are shifting and analysts predict gloomy outcomes for the retail industry even after shelter-in-place orders subside, noting that holiday sales could plummet as much as 30%. Gas stations, clothing stores, and restaurants, among others, continue to be severely impacted as shoppers stay inside except for essential needs.

But not every consumer goods category is losing out during the pandemic.

Revenue that once came from brick-and-mortar stores has now largely been rerouted to online shopping. And while items you'd assume to be in high demand, such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer, have indeed become hot commodities — they're not the only products that have seen a spike in sales.

Here are some unusual foods, electronics, and other items seeing a rise in popularity while we stay inside.