The British government's warnings about potential cyberattacks and other emergencies are beginning to be reflected in consumer habits. Sales of hand sanitizer, bottled water, batteries, and non-perishable food saw significant increases after authorities launched a national campaign to prepare households for potential disruptions to essential services.
According to the Daily Mail, the government initiative
"Be Ready," launched on October 22, aims to ensure British families
have enough supplies to survive for at least three days in emergency
situations, including cyberattacks that could affect supply chains and the
operation of basic services.
Figures from Worldpanel by Numerator show that, in the ten
days following the campaign's launch, sales of hand sanitizer increased by 83
percent compared to the same period last year. Bottled water sales rose by 67
percent, and battery sales increased by 63 percent. Purchases of dry rice,
canned goods, and other long-lasting products also increased.
The government has recommended that citizens stock up on
drinking water, non-perishable foods, flashlights, spare batteries, radios,
portable chargers, first-aid supplies, and personal hygiene products.
Authorities are concerned about the increasing
sophistication of cyberattacks, which could affect businesses, distribution
systems, and services that the population relies on daily. This is compounded
by other risks, such as extreme weather events, power outages, and potential
threats to national security.
However, the data does not indicate panic buying. Fraser
McKevitt, head of consumer analysis at Worldpanel, explained that the increase
is mainly due to more people incorporating the recommended products into their
regular shopping, rather than suddenly buying large quantities.