{
  "id": 16732372,
  "title": "Beans, water and radios sell out after UK’s stockpile warning",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/beans-water-and-radios-sell-out-after-uks-stockpile-warning-16732372",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-27T09:17:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2026/10/27/beans-water-and-radios-sell-out-after-uks-stockpile-warning/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tinned food, bottled water and essential items like radios and batteries have been selling out in the UK following government advice to prepare for potential shortages. Ocado reported unavailability of certain types of water, while tinned beans and soup were out of stock at the online grocery retailer. Frozen food seller Iceland noted a 40% surge in sales of tinned food, while supermarket chain Booths reported a similar increase. Retailers like Robert Dyas and Maplin saw a rise in sales of radios, torches, and power banks. Within hours of the \"Be Ready\" announcement, consumers rushed to stock up on basic necessities, such as torches, radios, and power banks. Torch sales nearly quadrupled and radio sales almost doubled in just three days, according to Maplin's managing director, Ollie Marshall.\n\nThe UK government issued guidelines urging citizens to \"be ready\" for a national emergency by stocking up on essentials and signing up for government support. Authorities recommended households to have enough provisions to last three days in an emergency. The UK has been dealing with threats from adverse weather conditions, drought, flooding, as well as potential cyber threats from countries like Russia and Iran.\n\nThe government's advice included stocking up on bottled water, non-perishable foods, hand sanitiser, cash, copies of important documents, blankets, and warm clothing. The announcement came before a series of storms hit the UK, which typically increases demand for such items. Security Minister Dan Jarvis stated that the UK was aligning its emergency preparedness campaign with that of many European countries.\n\nDefence Secretary Wes Streeting praised the public for taking practical steps to be ready for emergencies, emphasizing that having everyday essentials at home can help households cope with disruptions caused by flooding, power cuts, or burst pipes. Streeting added that every individual can contribute to making Britain more resilient.",
  "summary": "Supplies of tinned food, bottled water and equipment such as radios and batteries have been running out in the UK since the government issued a message to prepare for shortages . Online grocer Ocado reported several types of water were unavailable, while items such as beans and soup were also out of stock. Frozen food seller Iceland said it was “clear consumers have listened to the government’s…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}