British shoppers are snapping up emergency supplies in a new stockpiling frenzy that has raised fears of a return to the panic-buying seen during the Covid pandemic. Consumers are rushing to buy tinned food, torches and radios after the Government urged households to prepare for potential disasters.
Sales surge across retailers
The spree has revived memories of the panic-buying madness during Covid, when hoarders stripped supermarket shelves bare of toilet rolls, pasta and other essentials. Now ministers have urged Brits to stash away three days' worth of food, water and other supplies in case essential services grind to a halt.
Iceland reported a 40% surge in sales of tinned goods over the weekend, with bottled water also proving popular. Robert Dyas saw demand for radios rocket by 160% compared with the previous week. Electrical retailer Maplin reported a 284% jump in torch sales, while power banks were up 106% and radios 92%.
Government campaign triggers response
The rush follows the launch of the Government's new "be ready" campaign, aimed at coping with emergencies including floods, power cuts and burst pipes. Officials recommend keeping bottled water, non-perishable food and a battery-powered or wind-up FM radio handy in case normal services are disrupted.
Households are also advised to have some cash tucked away in case card machines and cashpoints stop working. The advice is part of a three-year drive to make Britain better prepared for disasters including a cyber attack by rogue states.
Retailers and officials respond
Supermarket bosses insisted there was no need to panic. An Iceland spokesperson said: "It's clear consumers have listened to the Government's message as we have seen a 40% increase in sales of tinned products over the weekend and strong sales of bottled water too. Our supplies of these products remain healthy."
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting welcomed the rush to get prepared. He said: "It's encouraging that people are taking practical steps to be ready. Having a few everyday essentials at home, from tinned food to torches, helps households prepare for disruption, whether that's flooding, power cuts or burst pipes. We can all play our part in making Britain more resilient."
