Key facts
- Iceland told BBC Newsnight that sales of tinned products rose 40% over the weekend.
- Maplin reported torch sales up 284% and radio sales up 92% after the announcement.
- Robert Dyas reported a 160% rise in radio sales compared with the previous week.
- Defence Secretary Wes Streeting advised households on October 22 to keep three liters of water per person per day and tinned goods.
UK retailers reported sharp rises in sales of emergency supplies after the government advised households to prepare for possible emergencies, according to figures obtained by BBC Newsnight.
On October 22, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said households should prepare for events such as a cyberattack or extreme weather. He advised keeping three liters of water per person per day, tinned goods, baby food, battery-powered torches and mobile phone charging packs.
Supermarket chain Iceland told the BBC program that sales of tinned products rose 40% over the weekend, with strong sales of bottled water too. A spokesperson said it was "clear" consumers had listened to the government's message, adding that supplies of these products remain healthy.
Robert Dyas reported a 160% rise in radio sales compared with the previous week. Maplin said radio sales were up 92%, torch sales up 284% and power bank sales up 106%, comparing the period since the announcement with the same period a month earlier.
Maplin managing director Ollie Marshall said that within hours of the "Be Ready" announcement, customers were buying basics such as torches, wind-up radios and power banks. He said torch sales nearly quadrupled and radio sales almost doubled in three days.