30.10.2026 01:00
The call for preparedness for possible emergencies in the UK brought with it unexpected shopping activity in supermarkets. As citizens turned to basic necessity products, the increase in toilet paper sales drew attention. While sales at some brands rose by up to 43 percent, demand also increased for products such as water, canned food, and flashlights. The British press listed the activity among developments reminiscent of the stockpiling panic during the pandemic.
The government's call in the UK for citizens to prepare a three-day stock of basic necessities against possible emergencies led to shopping activity in supermarkets. After canned food, drinking water and batteries, there was also a remarkable increase in toilet paper sales. While some manufacturers reported that their sales rose by up to 43 percent, authorities and industry representatives warned against stocking more products than necessary.
TOILET PAPER SALES ROSE BY 43 PERCENT
According to a report by The Sun in the British press, there was a significant increase in toilet paper sales following the government's emergency preparedness call. Cheeky Panda, which produces bamboo-based toilet paper, announced that its sales rose by 43 percent compared with the same period last year.
Another manufacturer, Serious Tissues, also reported that its sales increased by 36 percent in the last five days. Toilet paper also stood out on Amazon's best-selling grocery products list; different varieties of the product took three places among the top 20 most popular products.
WATER AND CANNED GOODS ACTIVITY ON SUPERMARKET SHELVES
Shopping activity was not limited to toilet paper. Demand increased for bottled water, canned food, batteries and flashlights in some supermarkets. At the online supermarket Ocado, stocks of some water brands as well as various soup products from brands such as Heinz and Baxters were reported to have run out.
In the UK, the discount retail chain B&M announced that toilet paper sales increased by 19 percent after the government's announcement. At Argos, it was stated that flashlight sales rose by 400 percent between Thursday and Saturday.
Frozen food retailer Iceland also announced that canned product sales increased by 40 percent over the weekend and demand for bottled water remained strong. The company reported that, despite this, its current product stocks were sufficient.
GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDED A THREE-DAY EMERGENCY STOCK
The UK government's call aims to ensure preparedness against disruptions to daily services in situations such as possible natural disasters, power outages and cyberattacks.
In the recommended emergency kit, in addition to three days' supply of drinking water and non-perishable food, it is advised to keep a flashlight, spare batteries, a radio, a charger, a blanket, basic medical supplies and necessary documents. It is recommended to set aside about three liters of drinking water per person per day, while it is noted that more water may be needed for needs such as food preparation and cleaning.
Defence Minister Wes Streeting said the call was aimed at increasing the country's resilience against possible disruptions.
WARNING FROM MANUFACTURERS AGAINST PANIC BUYING
Following the increase in sales, industry representatives warned that a wave of panic buying similar to the one during the coronavirus pandemic should not occur.
Cheeky Panda co-founder Julie Chen said it was reasonable to keep some extra toilet paper at home but that there was no need to stockpile enough products to last for months.
Retail sector representatives in the UK also emphasized that product supply could be maintained if demand increased and that stocks in stores were generally sufficient.
The message from the authorities was to be prepared for emergencies but not to create additional pressure on the supply chain by stockpiling unnecessarily.