The steadily worsening coronavirus epidemic in the UK is fuelling panic buying – with 40+% of shoppers already stockpiling items and about 90% set to do so in the event of a major outbreak.
Retailers and suppliers have been keen not to raise fear levels, but that has not stopped shoppers clearing shelves of items such as dried pasta, tinned tomatoes, hand sanitisers and toilet roll.
What are people stockpiling?
- Wipes and hand gels
- Tinned foods (ie tomatoes, beans and other vegetables)
- Medicines (eg Calpol)
- Household goods (ie toilet roll)
- Dried goods (ie pasta, rice, noodles, cereals etc)
- Frozen foods
- Toiletries
- Water
