{
  "id": 16196705,
  "title": "Supermarkets blindsided by ‘shambolic’ stockpiling warning",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/supermarkets-blindsided-by-shambolic-stockpiling-warning",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-23T14:46:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/supermarkets-blindsided-by-shambolic-stockpiling-warning/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Supermarkets have been surprised by the government's \"Be Ready\" campaign to encourage Brits to stockpile food and water, according to industry sources. The campaign, designed to prepare the public for various risks, was announced without prior notice to retailers, who expected it to be a low-key affair. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting led the campaign, surprising retailers as he was not originally involved in the launch. The government's efforts to ensure retailers could meet increased demand were deemed \"shambolic,\" with initial discussions focusing only on Thames Water and bottled water suppliers. Major supermarkets are cautiously engaging with suppliers to gauge potential demand spikes. Despite fears of panic buying similar to that witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic, industry officials remain confident in their ability to manage supply. The British Retail Consortium, representing top supermarkets, is collaborating with the government on the initiative, emphasizing the importance of gradual stock buildup for individual households.",
  "summary": "Supermarkets have been caught off guard by the government’s “shambolic” campaign to urge Brits to stock up on supplies of food and water, industry sources told City AM. Retailers were not told the details of the government’s “Be Ready” campaign until days before it was announced and expected it to be a more “low key” [...]",
  "key_points": [
    "Supermarkets caught off guard by government's surprise 'Be Ready' campaign.",
    "Defence Secretary Wes Streeting led campaign without retailer notification.",
    "Retailers describe government's efforts as 'shambolic' and supply management as manageable."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The government's uncoordinated rollout of the Be Ready campaign forces retailers to manage sudden demand spikes without the prior consultation necessary to prevent the panic buying seen during previous national crises.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}