Top Panic Buys for Brits in Winter Weather

Shoppers are panic buying this winter as the cold weather means the public are  getting out to superstores while they can- and stocking up as they do so. While many items seeing a surge in popularity are common place, others are surprising- take the sudden huge demand for cat litter as a classic example. In an interesting snapshot at what we buy when the going gets tough, take a look below for more shoppers’ insights…

Vital supplies to see families and loved ones through current extreme weather conditions include sensible items such as warm clothing, hearty meals and more.

Enterprising Brits are taking matters into their own hands and buying up salt in lieu of grit for driveways, with Asda having reported a 55% increase in sales in just the past two days. Bags of 1.5kg cooking salt are also flying off the shelves report Morrison’s- at a fivefold increase.

Cat litter has also been a best seller, with many consumers using it as a gritter- though while it acts as a grip it does little to melt snow and ice.

And the heartiest of winter warmers has also seen a rise in popularity, as we go back to basics with filling porridge and other oat cereals- Asda reports sales of these items are up 50% on figures from the same period last year, while casseroles and other ready-made hot pots are also soaring into shoppers bags.

And it’s not just main courses doing well- stodgy puddings and the simple soup are proving favourites, while a 1000% rise in thermal underwear sales (again, from Asda) are proving a sensible buy and temperatures nosedive.

Staying on the sensible side for car journeys has also been popular- with vacuum flasks fast becoming a purchase de la mode and Halfords seeing sales of sleeping bags and snow chains leap also. Fire logs and wellington boots were also firm favourites.

January can be a difficult month for many retailers as sales, the long period before January pay checks, and the excesses of Christmas all pile up against them. However, this week retailers may be the only ones rubbing their hands in glee as reports that the weather is to worsen continue. Cat litter anyone?