Sales of wind-up radios and emergency preparedness equipment in the United Kingdom have surged following a government appeal urging households to prepare for potential disruptions caused by natural disasters or cyber attacks. Retailers reported significant increases in orders across multiple product categories as consumers responded to the newly issued guidance.

The government’s “Be Ready” campaign, launched by Defence Secretary Wes Streeting on Thursday, called on Britons to stockpile essentials such as three days’ worth of non-perishable food and bottled water, along with emergency items including an FM radio, power banks, torches, and blankets. The initiative aims to boost national resilience amid rising concerns over infrastructure vulnerabilities.

Since the announcement, demand for wind-up radios has sharply increased, with at least seven models reportedly sold out across four major retailers. Electronics retailer Maplin experienced a 284 percent rise in torch sales and a 106 percent increase in power bank purchases compared to the same period last month. The company’s £18.99 IONOS Almere wind-up radio quickly went out of stock on Friday.

Ollie Marshall, Maplin’s managing director, commented that consumers immediately sought basic emergency supplies following the government’s guidance. Similarly, Sgt Prepper Shop, which specializes in outdoor and prepping gear, reported a 400 percent surge in orders since Thursday. Co-owner Jack Brown noted his store had processed six weeks’ worth of sales in just a few days, with the £55.79 Midland ER100 and £74.50 ER300 Pro wind-up radios selling out by Thursday night. Brown added that sales could have been even higher had his inventory been larger.

The surge in interest extended beyond retail. The disaster preparedness website Start Prepping UK experienced a twentyfold increase in visitors, jumping from roughly 300 per day to 6,000 on Friday alone. Founder Dan Goss highlighted that the site’s most accessed content included beginner guides on emergency readiness and detailed shopping lists for food and water stockpiling.

Amateur radio training also saw notable growth. Essex Ham, a free radio course provider, witnessed a 90 percent rise in enrolments from 150 in August to 285 in October, according to founder Pete Sipple.

The government’s advice was issued amid heightened cyber security concerns following the discovery of a critical vulnerability in PHP, a widely used web software. The flaw had forced some government services offline and sparked a global effort to patch affected systems. Some industry insiders expressed frustration regarding the timing of the “Be Ready” announcement, suggesting that encouraging additional stockpiling immediately after a major cyber incident could strain supply chains and public confidence.

Nevertheless, the government maintains that the campaign is intended to encourage practical steps for individuals and families to mitigate the effects of potential emergencies, whether due to natural events or cyber threats. Retailers and preparedness organizations continue to adjust to the increased public demand as the call for national resilience gains traction.