Brits are snapping up emergency supplies in a new stockpiling frenzy that threatens the return of the bog roll bandits. Shoppers are rushing to buy tinned food, torches and radios after the Government urged households to prepare for potential disasters. The spree has sparked memories of the panic-buying madness during Covid, when hoarders stripped supermarket shelves bare of toilet rolls, pasta and other essentials. Now ministers have urged Brits to stash away three days' worth of food, water and other supplies in case essential services grind to a halt.
Iceland reported a 40% surge in sales of tinned goods over the weekend, with bottled water also proving popular. Robert Dyas saw demand for radios rocket by 160% compared with the previous week. Electrical retailer Maplin reported a whopping 284% jump in torch sales, while power banks were up 106% and radios 92%. The rush follows the launch of the Government's new "be ready" campaign, aimed at coping with emergencies including floods, power cuts and burst pipes.
Officials recommend keeping bottled water, non-perishable food and a battery-powered or wind-up FM radio handy in case normal services are disrupted. Households are also advised to have some cash tucked away in case card machines and cashpoints stop working. The advice is part of a three-year drive to make Britain better prepared for disasters including a cyber attack by rogue states. But supermarket bosses insisted there was no need to panic.
An Iceland spokesperson said: “It's clear consumers have listened to the Government's message as we have seen a 40% increase in sales of tinned products over the weekend and strong sales of bottled water too. Our supplies of these products remain healthy.” Defence Secretary Wes Streeting welcomed the rush to get prepared. He said: “It's encouraging that people are taking practical steps to be ready. “Having a few everyday essentials at home, from tinned food to torches, helps households prepare for disruption, whether that's flooding, power cuts or burst pipes.
We can all play our part in making Britain more resilient.”
The Daily Star's headline tells readers that UK shops are running out of household items and that the Government fears a third world war. The body supports neither claim. Iceland says its supplies remain healthy, and the article describes the Government's campaign as preparation for floods, power cuts, burst pipes and cyber attacks. The body itself reports retail sales rises and quotes the retailer and the minister.
Headline goes beyond the article
Serious
“UK shops running out of household items”
Why this matters
The headline states in the Daily Star's own voice that UK shops are running out of household items.
The impression it gives
A reader believes there are shortages on the shelves across UK shops.
The context
The body reports sales rises, not shortages. The only retailer quoted on supply says stocks are healthy, and supermarket bosses say there is no need to panic.
How we know
Elsewhere in the article“Our supplies of these products remain healthy.”
Elsewhere in the article“supermarket bosses insisted there was no need to panic”
The headline says the Government fears a third world war and that this fear set off the stockpiling.
The impression it gives
A reader believes ministers have warned of, or are preparing for, a world war.
The context
The article never mentions war. It says the 'be ready' campaign covers floods, power cuts, burst pipes and cyber attacks by rogue states. The outlet's own earlier report quotes the Government asking people to be alert but not alarmed. In that report the war question came from a Question Time audience member, not from the Government.
How we know
Elsewhere in the article“aimed at coping with emergencies including floods, power cuts and burst pipes”