Do you really know? What does the popcorn index teach us about the economy?
Sep 19, 2025
Discover how a simple snack, like popcorn, can provide surprising insights into the economy! The discussion delves into the Popcorn Index, illustrating how cinema snack sales mirrored stock market trends during the Great Recession. Additionally, learn about quirky economic indicators like the Big Mac and Mars bar indices. These everyday purchases reveal much about our spending habits and the overall health of the economy. Tune in for a quick dive into how these snacks can serve as barometers for financial well-being!
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Popcorn Sales Mirror Economic Health
- Popcorn sales at cinemas tracked wider economic ups and downs during the Great Recession.
- Rupert Gavin found popcorn volumes mirrored and sometimes led the FTSE, making it a quirky economic barometer.
Odeon's 2009 Popcorn Story
- Rupert Gavin introduced the 'popcorn index' in 2009 after watching sales during the Great Recession.
- He noted people still went to films but cut optional extras like pricey popcorn.
Escapism Keeps Cinema Trips Stable
- Cinema visits stayed resilient because films provide escapism even in recessions.
- But audiences cut back on luxury add-ons like popcorn to maximise short-term enjoyment on a budget.