British retailers have reported sharp increases in sales of emergency supplies, with demand for torches, radios, power banks and canned food rising after the government urged households to prepare for potential national disruptions.
Figures obtained by BBC Newsnight show that the government’s preparedness campaign has prompted a significant consumer response, with some specialist retailers recording increases of several hundred per cent in sales of essential equipment.
Supermarket chain Iceland reported a 40 per cent rise in sales of tinned products over the weekend, alongside strong demand for bottled water.
Electronics and household retailer Maplin recorded a 284 per cent increase in torch sales, a 106 per cent rise in power bank purchases and a 92 per cent increase in radio sales compared with the same period in the previous month.
Robert Dyas also reported a 160 per cent increase in radio sales compared with the previous week.
The surge followed a public preparedness appeal by Defence Secretary Wes Streeting on October 22, urging households to keep basic supplies available to cope with emergencies such as cyberattacks, extreme weather, flooding and power outages.
Streeting advised residents to store three litres of water per person per day, canned food, baby food, battery-powered torches and portable phone chargers.
The response has been particularly pronounced among specialist emergency-preparedness businesses. Sgt Prepper’s online store reported a tenfold increase in sales after the campaign was launched, while Preppers Shop UK recorded a 650 per cent rise, according to the BBC report.
Josh Pringle of Sgt Prepper’s said orders increased dramatically within hours of the announcement, with wind-up radios among the most sought-after products.
Ollie Marshall, managing director of Maplin, said customers had quickly begun purchasing basic equipment to help them remain informed and connected during possible power disruptions.
Streeting welcomed the increase in preparedness, saying households could help strengthen Britain’s resilience by keeping everyday essentials available for unexpected emergencies.
Despite the increase in demand, Iceland said its supplies of canned food and bottled water remained healthy, indicating that the reported sales surge had not exhausted its stocks.
The government’s campaign is intended to encourage households to take practical precautions against disruptions to essential services and supply chains, rather than wait until an emergency occurs.
The developments highlight how official warnings can influence consumer behaviour, particularly when people are advised to prepare for scenarios that could interrupt electricity, communications, transport or access to basic goods.
