UK snow: panic buying hits supermarkets as shelves stripped

[Lord Beria3]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weath ... -bare.html

Frantic scenes were reported across the West Country, Home Counties and south Wales, in what officials described as worse than peak Christmas shopping periods.

With much of Britain expecting to be brought to a standstill today by a 40–hour snowstorm, shelves were left completely empty and basic items disappeared amid fears families would be left snowed in.

Supermarkets reported a "frenzy" as people stampeded along the aisles, filling their trolleys with bread, milk, vegetables and other essentials, leaving stores "virtually empty".

Massive queues of traffic also built up as shoppers battled for space outside stores as parking spaces became a premium.

At a Tesco branch in Aberdare in South Wales on Thursday, hundreds of shoppers stocked up after the Met Office put out a rare red warning, meaning motorists should only travel if necessary.

This shows that it makes far more sense to build up some stocks during normal times so you don't need to join the mob at the supermarket!

[UndercoverElephant]

Nah. Only when we're much closer to a real breakdown in supplies.

[vtsnowedin]

People are funny everywhere. Snowstorm or hurricane there is always that rush to stock up and if you look in the carts they are often buying stuff that isn't useful in a storm with the power cut off. Would it really kill any home owner to keep four feet of shelf stocked with emergency food and supplies.

[extractorfan]

hmmm, I might bake some bread tonight with a smug grin on my face.

[JavaScriptDonkey]

Looks just like people deciding to do their shopping today rather than slog through the slush on Saturday or Sunday.

[Totally_Baffled]

Just been in Tesco - loads of bread and milk, not many customers (particularly for a friday!)

[JohnB]

Just been in Tesco - loads of bread and milk, not many customers (particularly for a friday!)

Did you see any horses looking for lost relatives?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmxcUfyuRzs

[featherstick]

Went shopping last night, I would have had to go today anyway. No spuds, eggs or milk, no porridge, little bread. I bought out usual shop plus an extra 2 week supply of milk, flour, and a few extra sausages. The queues for the tills were unreal. We may mock people as sheeple, but I think a lot of people don't have much faith in the system.

[extractorfan]

Went shopping last night, I would have had to go today anyway. No spuds, eggs or milk, no porridge, little bread. I bought out usual shop plus an extra 2 week supply of milk, flour, and a few extra sausages. The queues for the tills were unreal. We may mock people as sheeple, but I think a lot of people don't have much faith in the system.

Good point, we expect preps then when people prep they are morons!

I feel bad now

[UndercoverElephant]

Looks just like people deciding to do their shopping today rather than slog through the slush on Saturday or Sunday.

Where I am its slush out there at the moment, but it is going to freeze overnight. Combine that with very steep hills and the result will be quite dangerous tomorrow morning.

[JavaScriptDonkey]

Looks just like people deciding to do their shopping today rather than slog through the slush on Saturday or Sunday.

Where I am its slush out there at the moment, but it is going to freeze overnight. Combine that with very steep hills and the result will be quite dangerous tomorrow morning.

I agree and intend to avoid it if I can.

I bought an extra 2 pints of milk as the local shop tends to run out anyway.

Everything else can wait.

[biffvernon]

Just been in Tesco

Why?

[Lord Beria3]

Just been in Tesco - loads of bread and milk, not many customers (particularly for a friday!)

Why are you posting on this forum if you go to Tesco?

[RenewableCandy]

Just been in Tesco

Why?

Because he has horse sense, that's why

[stumuzz]

My Lidl pony!