By Islam El-Sakka
UK consumers have rushed to stockpile toilet paper, tinned food, torches and other essentials following the government’s “Be Ready” emergency preparedness checklist, prompting warnings from retailers against excessive buying.
Sales surge for essentials
Sales of tinned food, wind-up radios, torches and power banks have spiked since the guidance was issued. Bamboo toilet paper brand Cheeky Panda reported a 43% increase in sales compared to the same period last year, while Serious Tissues saw a 36% rise over five days. Discount retailer B&M recorded a 19% jump in toilet paper sales alongside higher demand for power banks and torches. Electronics retailer Maplin said radio sales rose 92%, torches 284% and power banks 106% compared to the previous month. Online grocer Ocado listed several soup and bottled water brands as unavailable.
Retailers urge calm
Cheeky Panda co-founder Julie Chen acknowledged the value of keeping “a little extra” but warned against “pandemic-style” panic buying that empties shelves. Serious Tissues also advised customers not to stockpile hundreds of rolls at once.
Government checklist details
The “Be Ready” checklist recommends households maintain a three-day supply of bottled water (3 litres per person per day), non-perishable food, hand sanitiser, wet wipes, torch with spare batteries, blankets, portable power bank, battery or wind-up radio, first aid kit, baby supplies, cash and copies of important documents. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting told BBC Newsnight the public’s practical steps were encouraging and would help Britain become more resilient against disruptions such as flooding, power cuts or burst pipes.
