Emergency supplies see surge in demand following government preparedness advice

UK retailers have reported increased demand for emergency supplies following the Government’s new Be Ready preparedness campaign. Torches, radios, power banks, bottled water and tinned food are among the products attracting additional interest, although retailers say essential food supplies remain readily available.

Which emergency supplies are people buying?

The Government’s recently launched Be Ready campaign encourages households to prepare for temporary interruptions to essential services, including electricity, water and communications.

The advice has prompted a noticeable response from some consumers.

According to reporting published by The Guardian on 27 October, electronics retailer Maplin said sales of torches had almost quadrupled following the announcement.

Sales of radios and power banks had approximately doubled.

Meanwhile, supermarket chain Iceland reported a 40% increase in sales of tinned food over the weekend, alongside stronger demand for bottled water.

Specialist emergency equipment retailers also reported substantial increases in orders for wind-up radios and other preparedness products.

Are supermarkets running out of emergency supplies?

Despite the increased interest, there is no evidence of a nationwide shortage of essential groceries.

Several major supermarkets reported little significant change in demand, while the British Retail Consortium confirmed that food availability remained strong.

This distinction matters.

A temporary shortage of a particular brand or product does not necessarily mean that supplies are running low across the country.

Similarly, photographs of empty supermarket shelves circulating online may not reflect wider availability.

Why are radios and power banks proving popular?

Both products can be useful during temporary power cuts.

A battery-operated or wind-up radio allows households to receive information when broadband, television or mobile services are unavailable.

A charged power bank can keep a mobile phone operating when mains electricity is interrupted.

Neither needs to be particularly expensive to provide a useful backup.

For those considering a purchase, Prepper Weekly has already examined the best emergency radios for UK households and explains how to prepare for a power cut.

Do households need to buy everything immediately?

No.

The Government’s preparedness campaign encourages sensible planning rather than panic buying.

For most households, building a small reserve gradually is more practical than purchasing large quantities of specialist equipment.

Start with items already used regularly, such as tinned food, bottled water, batteries and basic first-aid supplies.

Check what is already available at home before buying anything new.

Emergency preparedness should be affordable and proportionate to individual circumstances.

For households working within a limited budget, Prepper Weekly’s emergency food supplies guide provides a useful starting point.

The important point is not how much equipment someone owns, but whether they can manage comfortably during a temporary interruption to everyday services.

Sources: The Guardian: Emergency supply sales increase following government advice, published 27 October 2026; Prepper Weekly’s coverage of the Be Ready campaign, published 26 October 2026.