Retailers across the UK have recorded a dramatic spike in sales of essential items after the government urged the public to stockpile goods in preparation for potential crises. Figures obtained by BBC Newsnight show that consumers responded swiftly to official warnings by purchasing items such as tinned food, emergency radios, and power banks.
Supermarkets and Electronics Chains Report Strong Demand
The sudden increase in demand followed statements by Defence Secretary Wes Streeting on October 22, in which he advised households to prepare for disruptions caused by extreme weather events or cyber attacks. Streeting recommended that households keep emergency supplies on hand, including three liters of water per person per day, tinned food, baby food, battery-powered torches, and mobile phone power packs.
Supermarket chain Iceland reported a 40% rise in tinned food sales over the weekend following the announcement, along with strong demand for bottled water. An Iceland spokesperson told BBC Newsnight: “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.”
Electronics and home goods retailers also saw substantial sales increases. Robert Dyas reported that radio sales grew by 160% compared to the previous week. Meanwhile, retailer Maplin experienced a 92% surge in radio sales, a 106% rise in power bank purchases, and a 284% increase in torch sales compared to the same period last month.
Ollie Marshall, managing director at Maplin, explained the immediate consumer reaction. “Within hours of the Be Ready announcement we saw people reach for the basics – a torch, a wind-up radio, a power bank. Torch sales nearly quadrupled and radio sales almost doubled in three days,” Marshall said. “These are simple, affordable products that keep a household connected and informed when the power goes out, and it’s encouraging to see people taking the advice seriously.”
Independent Emergency Suppliers Experience Order Spikes
Independent retailers specializing in emergency preparedness also experienced significant operational pressure due to sudden order volumes. Josh Pringle, from Sgt Prepper’s online store, told BBC Newsnight that sales surged tenfold immediately after the guidance was released.
“We were a small outfit on Wednesday. And then the government launched the Be Ready campaign and we couldn’t believe what we were seeing – order after order after order. Most of them were for a wind-up radio,” Pringle said.
Lincoln Miles, founder of Preppers Shop UK, told the programme that his business recorded a 650% increase in sales following the government’s announcement. “Everything about off grid seems to be the key of what people are buying for the minute,” Miles said.
In response to the figures, Streeting welcomed the public’s proactive measures to build emergency resilience across the country. “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,” Streeting told BBC Newsnight.
