Sales of essential goods spike after government stockpiling call

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 27 Oct, 08:27 · Archive

Retailers report sharp increases in sales of torches, radios and tinned food after the government urged people to stockpile for emergencies.

Retailers have reported significant spikes in sales of essential goods following a government campaign urging people to stockpile in preparation for emergencies such as cyber attacks or extreme weather events.

Iceland supermarket chain saw tinned product sales increase by 40% over the weekend. Maplin reported even sharper rises: torches up 284%, power banks up 106% and radios up 92% compared with the same period last month. Robert Dyas reported a 160% increase in radio sales compared with the previous week.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting had advised people to ensure they have three litres of water per person per day, tinned goods, baby food, battery-powered torches and mobile phone charging packs. Streeting told BBC Newsnight the public response was encouraging, saying: '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.' Iceland confirmed that supplies of these products remain healthy.

Sales of essential goods spike after government stockpiling call — Image: The Independent

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How it is being reported

Beans, soup and bottled water sell out after government call to stockpile in case of crisisSales of torches and power banks more than doubled since the government call to prepare for a crisisThe Independent · 27 Oct, 10:04
Supermarket sales of essential goods spike after government call to stock up in case of crisisSales of torches and power banks more than doubled since the government call to prepare for a crisisThe Independent · 27 Oct, 08:03
Sharp rise in sales of some essential goods after government call to stock upFigures obtained by BBC Newsnight show large spikes in sales of torches, radios and power banks.BBC News · 27 Oct, 03:48

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

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