# Sales of tinned food and bottled water jump after ‘Be Ready’ campaign launch

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/sales-of-tinned-food-and-bottled-water-jump-after-be-ready-campaign-launch/
- Published: 2026-11-10T11:43:06+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-10T12:35:36+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Science (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqev3vl4ek33o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Business, Culture, Elections, Food, Government, Politics, Science

## Key points

- Sales of bottled water rose 67% after the campaign launch.
- Hand sanitiser sales increased 83%, while tinned and jarred goods rose 37%.
- Retail data points to gradual preparation, not panic buying.

## Summary

The government’s “Be Ready” campaign, launched on 22 October, was followed by a rise in sales of household emergency supplies. The campaign asks people to prepare for disruptions to essential services caused by severe weather or cyberattacks, making the increase an early sign that shoppers are responding to its advice.

In the 10 days after launch, hand sanitiser sales rose 83%, bottled water sales increased 67% and tinned and jarred goods were up 37%, according to Worldpanel by Numerator. The firm said the pattern suggested gradual stockpiling rather than panic buying: fewer than a third of households bought bottled water in October, and the typical amount of tinned meat purchased remained 500g. The guidance recommends keeping three days’ worth of food and water at home, alongside items such as wet wipes, a torch and cash; food company Princes also reported increased demand for tinned products.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.