Radios and tinned food sales surge after UK government’s Be Ready call

Retailers report sharp spikes in essential goods as defence secretary urges households to prepare for emergencies

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

Sales of radios, tinned food, torches and power banks have surged across UK retailers after the government’s Be Ready campaign urged households to stockpile for potential crises, according to figures obtained by BBC Newsnight.

The Iceland supermarket chain reported a 40% increase in sales of tinned products over the weekend, with an Iceland spokesperson saying: “It’s clear consumers have listened to the government’s message.”

Hardware and electronics retailers also saw significant jumps. Robert Dyas reported a 160% increase in radio sales compared with the previous week, while Maplin recorded a 92% rise in radios, a 284% rise in torches and a 106% rise in power banks since the government’s announcement last week, compared with the same period last month.

Ollie Marshall, managing director at Maplin, said: “Within hours of the Be Ready announcement we saw people reach for the basics – a torch, a wind-up radio, a power bank. Torch sales nearly quadrupled and radio sales almost doubled in three days. These are simple, affordable products that keep a household connected and informed when the power goes out, and it’s encouraging to see people taking the advice seriously.”

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting launched the campaign on 22 October, recommending households keep three litres of water per person per day, tinned goods, baby food, battery-powered torches and mobile phone charging packs as preparation for events such as cyber attacks or extreme weather.

Independent retailers also reported sharp increases. Josh Pringle, from Sgt Prepper’s online store, said sales had increased tenfold: “We were a small outfit on Wednesday. And then the government launched the Be Ready campaign and we couldn’t believe what we were seeing – order after order after order. Most of them were for a wind-up radio.”

Lincoln Miles, founder of Preppers Shop UK, told Newsnight of a 650% increase in sales after the announcement, adding: “Everything about off grid seems to be the key of what people are buying for the minute.”

In response, Streeting told Newsnight: “It’s encouraging that people are taking practical steps to be ready. Having a few everyday essentials at home, from tinned food to torches, helps households prepare for disruption, whether that’s flooding, power cuts or burst pipes. We can all play our part in making Britain more resilient.”

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Maplin sales increases after the Be Ready announcement, by product

Period since the government's announcement last week, compared with the same period last month. Source: Maplin, reported by BBC Newsnight

Analysis

Why This Matters

The sales surge shows the government’s preparedness message is reaching households, potentially increasing national resilience against common disruptions like floods, power cuts or cyber attacks.
The rapid consumer response, from major supermarkets to specialty prepper stores, suggests broad public concern about the types of emergencies flagged by ministers.
This campaign follows warnings from Defence Secretary Wes Streeting about supply chain disruption and cyber threats, indicating a shift toward active public preparedness as official policy.

Background

The UK government’s Be Ready campaign, launched by Defence Secretary Wes Streeting on 22 October, urges households to stockpile essentials such as water, tinned food, torches and radios for use during emergencies including cyber attacks or extreme weather. The campaign follows similar calls from figures including Andy Burnham, who suggested stocking up on tinned food and bottled water days earlier. Newsnight obtained sales figures from multiple retailers to track consumer response.

Key Perspectives

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting: Called the public response “encouraging,” saying that having everyday essentials helps households prepare for disruption and that “we can all play our part in making Britain more resilient.”

Ollie Marshall, Maplin managing director: Said it is “encouraging to see people taking the advice seriously” and noted that the products people are buying, torches, wind-up radios, power banks, are simple, affordable items that keep households connected when the power goes out.

Iceland spokesperson: Said it is “clear consumers have listened to the government’s message” as the supermarket chain saw a 40% increase in tinned product sales over the weekend.

What to Watch

Whether further government guidance or follow-up campaigns emerge on specific stockpiling targets.
How long the sales spike lasts, whether it is a short-term reaction or signals a lasting shift in household preparedness.
Potential pressure on supply chains if demand continues to outpace normal stocking levels.

Sources

Rise in sales of radios and tinned foods, say retailers, after call to stock up · BBC News
Sharp rise in sales of essential goods after government call to stock up · BBC News
Supermarket sales of essential goods spike after government call to stock up in case of crisis · The Independent UK

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe headline says radio and tinned-food sales surged after the UK government’s Be Ready call.BBC News: “Rise in sales of radios and tinned foods, say retailers, after call to stock up.”
Partly supportedThe opening says sales of radios, tinned food, torches and power banks surged across UK retailers after the Be Ready campaign urged households to stockpile for potential crises.BBC News: “Some retailers have seen a dramatic increase in sales of essential goods after the government called for people to stock up in case of a crisis, according to figures obtained by Newsnight.”
SupportedIceland reported a 40% increase in sales of tinned products over the weekend.BBC News: “The Iceland supermarket chain said it was “clear” consumers had listened to warnings after it saw a 40% increase in sales of tinned products over the weekend.”
SupportedRobert Dyas reported a 160% increase in radio sales compared with the previous week.BBC News: “Robert Dyas reported a 160% increase in sales of radios compared with last week”
SupportedMaplin reported rises of 92% in radios, 284% in torches and 106% in power banks, comparing the period since the government announcement with the same period last month.BBC News: “Maplin said sales had increased by 92% in radios, 284% in torches and 106% in power banks. The Maplin figures cover the period since the government's announcement last week compared with the same period last month.”
SupportedOllie Marshall said: “Within hours of the Be Ready announcement we saw people reach for the basics – a torch, a wind-up radio, a power bank. Torch sales nearly quadrupled and radio sales almost doubled in three days.”BBC News: ““Within hours of the Be Ready announcement we saw people reach for the basics - a torch, a wind-up radio, a power bank. Torch sales nearly quadrupled and radio sales almost doubled in three days,” said Ollie Marshall, managing director at Maplin.”
Partly supportedStreeting launched the campaign on 22 October.BBC News: “On 22 October, Streeting said that people should ensure they have three litres of water per person per day; tinned goods in the cupboard; baby food; battery powered torches and mobile phone charging packs.”
SupportedStreeting recommended keeping three litres of water per person per day, tinned goods, baby food, battery-powered torches and mobile phone charging packs.BBC News: “On 22 October, Streeting said that people should ensure they have three litres of water per person per day; tinned goods in the cupboard; baby food; battery powered torches and mobile phone charging packs.”
SupportedJosh Pringle said sales at Sgt Prepper’s online store had increased tenfold.BBC News: “Josh Pringle, from Sgt Prepper's online store, said his sales had increased tenfold”
SupportedPringle said: “We were a small outfit on Wednesday. And then the government launched the Be Ready campaign and we couldn’t believe what we were seeing – order after order after order. Most of them were for a wind-up radio.”BBC News: ““We were a small outfit on Wednesday. And then the government launched the Be Ready campaign and we couldn't believe what we were seeing – order after order after order. Most of them were for a wind-up radio.””
SupportedLincoln Miles told Newsnight that Preppers Shop UK had a 650% increase in sales after the government announcement.BBC News: “Lincoln Miles, founder of Preppers Shop UK, told Newsnight of a 650% increase in sales after the government announcement.”
SupportedMiles said: “Everything about off grid seems to be the key of what people are buying for the minute.”BBC News: ““Everything about off grid seems to be the key of what people are buying for the minute.””