UK stockpiling advice followed by sell-outs of beans, water and batteries at Ocado and elsewhere

Mixed · 2Bottled water, tinned food such as beans and soup, and items like batteries and radios have been selling out in the UK after the government issued guidance telling households to prepare for emergencies. 1 2 Mixed · 2Online grocer Ocado saw a surge in demand over the weekend; by Monday several brands of bottled water, including Volvic, Highland Spring and Brecon Carreg, were listed as out of stock, along with various Heinz and Baxters soup lines, according to the Daily Mail. 1 2 Right · 1An Ocado spokesman said the company was working with supply-chain partners to increase availability and urged customers to check back or book delivery later in the week. 1

Mixed · 2Iceland reported a 40 per cent jump in tinned food sales and credited the government's message; the Daily Mail quotes its spokesman saying supplies "remain healthy". Booths also reported increases in tinned goods, bottled water and batteries. 1 2 Centre · 1The National reported that Robert Dyas and Maplin saw higher sales of radios, torches and power banks; Maplin's managing director Ollie Marshall said torch sales nearly quadrupled and radio sales almost doubled in three days. Preppers Shop UK reported a 650 per cent rise in "off-grid" item sales. 2 Mixed · 2The "Be Ready" guidance advises households to be self-sufficient for three days, with bottled water, non-perishable food, cash, copies of documents, blankets and warm clothing. The Daily Mail adds that it suggests at least nine litres of water per person, back-up chargers, a wind-up or battery radio and pet and baby food. 2 1

Mixed · 2Both outlets cite threats including bad weather and flooding and hostile activity from Russia; The National also mentions Iran and artificial intelligence, while the Daily Mail lists cyberattacks and hostile state threats. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting urged households to prepare three days of supplies and later said it was "encouraging that people are taking practical steps". 1 2 Centre · 1Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the move brings the UK into line with European peers that also have a three-day message. 2 Mixed · 2Context and caveats differ: The National notes the announcement came before two storms hit at the weekend, when sales of such goods typically rise anyway, and Booths, per the Daily Mail, suggested storms and flooding may have influenced buying. The Daily Mail also reports that supermarkets say they are better prepared since Covid-era supply chain reforms, and that the Association of Convenience Stores saw no "meaningful change" in weekend sales. 2 1

Right · 1The Daily Mail reports that critics have accused the government of giving "bossy lectures" and "encouraging panic" while not raising defence spending, and quotes the Prime Minister, named in the article as Mr Burnham, saying he has beans, soup and Twiglets in his cupboard. 1