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UK snow: panic buying hits supermarkets as shelves stripped
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 09:46
by 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!
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 09:59
by UndercoverElephant
Nah. Only when we're much closer to a real breakdown in supplies.
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 11:33
by 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.
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 11:40
by extractorfan
hmmm, I might bake some bread tonight with a smug grin on my face.
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 19:10
by JavaScriptDonkey
Looks just like people deciding to do their shopping today rather than slog through the slush on Saturday or Sunday.
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 19:56
by Totally_Baffled
Just been in Tesco - loads of bread and milk, not many customers (particularly for a friday!)
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 20:03
by JohnB
Totally_Baffled wrote: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
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 20:23
by 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.
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 20:26
by extractorfan
featherstick wrote: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
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 20:49
by UndercoverElephant
JavaScriptDonkey wrote: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.
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 21:25
by JavaScriptDonkey
UndercoverElephant wrote:JavaScriptDonkey wrote: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.
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 21:29
by biffvernon
Totally_Baffled wrote:Just been in Tesco
Why?
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 22:28
by Lord Beria3
Totally_Baffled wrote: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?
Posted: 18 Jan 2013, 22:59
by RenewableCandy
biffvernon wrote:Totally_Baffled wrote:Just been in Tesco
Why?
Because he has horse sense, that's why
Posted: 19 Jan 2013, 08:43
by stumuzz
My Lidl pony!