Bottled water and tinned food sales surge after UK government issues emergency stockpile advice

UK retailers have reported increased sales of emergency supplies after the government launched its Be Ready campaign, advising households to keep enough essentials for 72 hours. The rise suggests some people are acting on the advice, though demand has varied between retailers and supermarkets say supplies remain strong.

Maplin reported torch sales nearly quadrupling, while power bank and radio sales doubled; Iceland said tinned food sales rose 40% over the weekend. Specialist emergency-supply shops also saw sharp increases, including one seller that sold about 300 wind-up radios compared with its usual 15. Some products sold out, but retailers and industry representatives said supermarkets remained well stocked.