Essential food items are selling out after Labour urged Brits to stockpile food in case of extreme weather or cyberattacks. Baked beans, bottled water and batteries sold out at Ocado, while Iceland said sales of tinned products increased 40% over the weekend.
Defence Secretary urges preparedness
It followed calls from Defence Secretary Wes Streeting to prepare “be ready” emergency kits, with enough food, water and emergency supplies to last for three days in case of a loss of communication with the outside world.
Following the alert, shoppers were unable to buy several brands of bottled water and essentials from online grocer Ocado on Monday.
Retailers report surge in demand
A spokesman told The Times: “We’ve seen an increase in demand for some products over the weekend and are working with our supply-chain partners to increase availability as soon as possible.” They encouraged shoppers to check back for restocks.
Iceland, the frozen-foods seller, said supplies "remain healthy", but it was “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”.
What households were told to stock
Households were told to stockpile enough tinned or dried food to survive for at least three days, as well as nine litres of water per person for drinking, with more for other tasks such as cooking and washing.
Hand sanitiser, wet wipes and bathroom products, torches with batteries, power banks to charge phones and medical devices were also on the list. Brits were also told to keep copies of important documents such as passports or birth certificates, nappies, pet food, baby formula and essential medicines.
Threat from hostile actors
Officially, the measures are designed to ensure households can cope with extreme weather conditions. But Mr Streeting highlighted the threat from the UK’s enemies when he spoke at the opening of the UK Gun Hall Plant in Telford, Shropshire.
He said we should be prepared “for the eventuality that there may be disruption to essential supply chains caused by hostile state actors or terrorists.”
According to the guidance, blankets and sleeping bags should be stored because “homes can become cold very quickly when the heating goes off”.
