Retailers report surge in sales after government urges emergency preparedness

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 17:33 · Archive

Retailers have reported sharp increases in sales of essential goods following government advice to prepare for disruptions.

Retailers have reported sharp increases in sales of essential goods following the government's Be Ready campaign, which urges households to prepare for periods of disruption caused by storms, heatwaves, or other emergencies.

Iceland told BBC Newsnight it had seen a 40% increase in tinned product sales over the weekend and strong sales of bottled water, with supplies remaining healthy. Maplin reported even larger increases: torch sales rose 284%, radios 92% and power banks 106%. Managing director Ollie Marshall said the retailer saw demand for 'the basics – a torch, a wind-up radio, a power bank' within hours of the announcement, with torch sales nearly quadrupling and radio sales almost doubling in three days.

The government advice recommends preparations for three days of disruption and follows approaches already in place in France, Ireland and the Netherlands. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting had said people should stockpile goods to prepare for emergencies such as cyber attacks or extreme weather events. The guidance focuses on advance actions including keeping bottled water and non-perishable food at home.

How it is being reported

• Retailers see surge in sales of essential goods following government adviceRetailers like Iceland, Maplin and Robert Dyas have seen an increase in sales of essential goods following government adviceThe Comet · 27 Oct, 17:09
• Retailers see surge in sales of essential goods following government adviceRetailers like Iceland, Maplin and Robert Dyas have seen an increase in sales of essential goods following government adviceHerts Advertiser · 27 Oct, 17:09

In this story: Iceland · Maplin · Robert Dyas · Wes Streeting · UK

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log