27th October 2026
Sales surge after new advice urges households to prepare for three days without essential services, but ministers say there is no need to panic.
The British public appears to be taking the Government’s latest advice about emergency preparedness seriously. Within days of a new national campaign being launched, retailers reported sharp increases in sales of torches, portable power banks, tinned food and wind-up radios.
The rush followed the launch of the Government’s Be Ready campaign on 22 October, which asks households to prepare for the possibility that essential services could be disrupted for up to three days. The advice covers everyday emergencies such as severe weather, power cuts and interruptions to water supplies, telephone networks and internet services.
The scale of the initial shopping response has been striking. Electronics retailer Maplin reported a 284% increase in torch sales and a 106% rise in power bank purchases following the announcement. Wind-up radios have also proved popular, with several models reportedly selling out at a number of retailers.
Food retailers have seen increased demand for some basic supplies. Industry analysis published by IGD on 26 October reported increases in sales of tinned soups, meat, fish and vegetables, with some categories experiencing rises of up to 50%. Bottled water and certain baby and pet products have also attracted additional demand.
These figures relate to particular retailers and product categories, rather than the entire UK market. Nevertheless, they suggest that the Government’s message has reached consumers remarkably quickly.
Why is the Government giving this advice now?
The campaign follows a series of severe weather events, including storms last winter and wildfires during the summer. Such events can disrupt electricity, water supplies, communications and transport, sometimes leaving households temporarily isolated.
There are also wider concerns about the resilience of critical infrastructure, including the potential effects of cyber-attacks and other threats. However, the Government has presented Be Ready as preparation for a range of possible emergencies, not as a warning that a particular crisis is imminent.
The advice is part of a three-year campaign intended to make household preparedness a normal part of everyday life. It brings the UK closer to the approach already adopted in countries including France, Ireland and the Netherlands, where preparing for several days of disruption is an established recommendation.
The Government has also revealed a worrying gap in public confidence. Research cited in its parliamentary statement on 22 October found that just 13% of people felt prepared for an emergency that could cut them off from services on which they rely. Meanwhile, 84% wanted the Government to provide more information about how to prepare.
The campaign is therefore responding to a recognised lack of preparedness, rather than simply encouraging people to buy more goods.
What should households keep at home?
The central message is to be able to manage for three days while help reaches those who need it most.
The official checklist recommends drinking water, food with a long shelf life that does not require cooking, a torch and spare batteries, a battery-powered or wind-up radio, and a charged power bank. Households should also consider essential medicines, first-aid supplies, warm clothing, blankets, hygiene products, cash and copies of important documents.
The guidance recommends around three litres of drinking water per person per day. That means nine litres for one person over three days, before allowing for additional water for cooking, washing or other needs.
A radio may seem an old-fashioned purchase in an age when most people rely on smartphones, but it has a practical purpose. If mobile networks or internet connections fail, a battery-powered or wind-up radio can provide access to emergency information, provided the broadcast service remains available.
Similarly, a power bank can keep a mobile phone working for longer during an electricity outage. A torch is safer than relying on candles when the lights go out.
The Government is not suggesting that everyone should buy everything immediately. Its advice is to check what is already in the cupboard, identify any gaps and build up supplies gradually during normal shopping trips. Buying food that a household regularly eats also reduces waste when supplies reach their expiry dates.
The full checklist is available on the official Be Ready website.
Scotland has particular reasons to take notice
Scotland's interest in emergency preparedness is especially relevant given the disruption that severe weather can cause in rural and remote communities.
Reports on the campaign have identified Scotland as having the highest online search interest per head of population for emergency-preparedness supplies. This measures searches, not actual purchases, but it suggests considerable public interest.
For communities in Caithness and Sutherland, the practical issues are familiar. Severe weather can affect roads, electricity supplies and communications, while long distances between settlements and services can complicate recovery. A household that is adequately stocked for a few days may have more options if travel becomes difficult or deliveries are delayed.
The same principle applies to people living alone, older residents and those who depend on regular medication or electrically powered medical equipment. Preparation should take account of individual circumstances, rather than relying on a standard shopping list.
The Government also encourages eligible households to register for their utility provider's Priority Services Register. This is free and helps electricity, gas and water companies identify customers who may need additional assistance during an outage.
Sensible preparation, not panic buying
There is a difference between keeping a modest reserve of essentials and stockpiling goods in quantities that other people may need.
The early sales figures do not establish that the country is facing widespread shortages. IGD has warned retailers about temporary pressure on particular products, but the evidence so far does not point to a general breakdown in food availability. Some of the increase may also reflect households bringing purchases forward, rather than consuming more over the longer term.
That distinction matters. If everyone rushes to buy bottled water and tinned food at once, shelves can empty temporarily even when the overall supply chain is functioning normally. Replenishing supplies gradually is more practical for households and retailers alike.
There is also a financial consideration. Not every family can afford to spend extra money on emergency equipment and several days' worth of supplies. The Government acknowledges this and says people should take the steps they can manage. Checking cupboards, writing down important telephone numbers and agreeing how to contact relatives or neighbours cost little or nothing.
The campaign also stresses the importance of community support. Neighbours can check on people who live alone, particularly when power or telephone services fail. Household preparedness is not intended to replace emergency services, local authorities or organised assistance.
A reminder of how dependent modern life has become
The sudden popularity of wind-up radios and tins of food offers a glimpse of how much everyday life depends on services that are usually taken for granted.
Most households expect electricity, running water, refrigeration, mobile phones and electronic payments to work whenever they need them. A disruption lasting several days can quickly turn these conveniences into essential concerns.
The Government's message is straightforward: prepare for a temporary interruption without assuming that one is about to happen.
If the campaign succeeds, the long-term result should not be permanently empty shelves or garages full of emergency equipment. It should be more households with a few sensible supplies, a basic plan and an understanding of how to help people nearby.
The most useful response to the advice may be less dramatic than the sales figures suggest. Check the cupboard, find the torch, charge the power bank, keep some food and water available, and make sure important telephone numbers are written down.
Being prepared does not mean expecting the worst. It means making a difficult few days easier if they ever arrive.
Be Ready Campaign
Be Ready Checklist
Prepare