UK retailers report surge in sales of emergency essentials after government advice

Retailers in the UK have reported sharp increases in sales of emergency essentials since the government urged households to prepare supplies for possible disruption, including extreme weather and cyber-attacks.

Iceland said sales of tinned products rose by 40% over the weekend, while sales of bottled water were also strong. The supermarket said its supplies remained healthy.

Other retailers reported increases in equipment promoted in the government’s Be Ready campaign. Robert Dyas said radio sales were up 160% on the previous week. Maplin reported sales rises of 92% for radios, 284% for torches and 106% for power banks, comparing the period since the announcement with the same period last month.

Maplin managing director Ollie Marshall said the company had seen people buy torches, wind-up radios and power banks within hours of the campaign’s launch. Independent online retailers also described a surge: Sgt Prepper’s said sales had increased tenfold, while Preppers Shop UK reported a 650% rise after the announcement.

The government’s advice is to keep enough food, water and other essentials at home for three days. It recommends three litres of drinking water per person per day, along with long-life food, torches, a radio, a charged power bank and essential medicines. Households are encouraged to build up supplies gradually and take steps suited to their circumstances.

The campaign presents the advice as general preparation for emergencies, rather than a response to a specific warning. More on the UK’s three-day household preparedness advice.