WorldThe GuardianBottled water and tinned food sales surge after UK government issues emergency stockpile advice
UK shoppers rushed to buy tinned food, bottled water, torches and wind-up radios after the government told households to stockpile 72 hours of emergency supplies.
Retailers also report jump in purchases of wind-up radios and torches to deal with extreme weather and cyber-attacks
The UK government launched its Be Ready campaign urging households to stockpile 72 hours of supplies, triggering a surge in sales of emergency goods at retailers.
Maplin reported torch sales nearly quadrupled, Iceland saw tinned food sales rise 40 per cent, and one specialist seller shifted about 300 wind-up radios in a weekend compared with its usual 15.
Retailers say overall food availability remains strong and shelves are well stocked, so there is no need to panic buy.
The UK government's Be Ready campaign recommends households keep enough food, water and basic supplies to last 72 hours in case of extreme weather or a cyber-attack.
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