Demand for tinned goods and bottled water surges amid Be Ready campaign

• Supermarket sales of essential items surged following the launch of the government's Be Ready emergency preparedness campaign on 22 October.
• In the 10 days after the campaign launch, sales of hand sanitiser jumped by 83 per cent, bottled water grew by 67 per cent, and tinned goods rose by 37 per cent.
• Retail analysts noted that the buying pattern reflected steady preparation recommended by the government rather than panic buying.
• Grocery price inflation edged up slightly to 2.6 per cent in October from 2.5 per cent in September, adding to household budget pressures.
• Grocers Ocado, Marks & Spencer, and Lidl reported strong growth, with Lidl achieving the largest market share gain over the period.

IN FULL

Grocery inflation rises as tinned goods and hand sanitiser sales surge for 'Be Ready’ campaign