Danes take crisis recommendations calmly: Increased sales of water and canned goods in supermarkets After the Danish Emergency Management Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen) presented new crisis recommendations on Saturday, urging Danes to be self-sufficient for three days with necessary supplies, supermarkets have seen changes in shopping habits. Dagrofa, which owns supermarkets such as Meny, Spar, Min Købmand, and Let-Køb, reports a “quiet process” following the new recommendations. According to Dagrofa’s category director, Michael Christensen, there has been a significant increase in the sales of certain items. “We have seen a doubling in the sales of water, rice, and pasta. Additionally, there has been a considerable increase in the sales of canned food, salt, batteries, and toilet paper,” Michael Christensen said to Ritzau.
Coop, which operates supermarkets such as Kvickly, SuperBrugsen, and 365discount, has also experienced a doubling in the sales of certain items, including water. Information director Jens Juul Nielsen from Coop, however, emphasizes that the overall sales are not higher than usual. “Danes have taken it very calmly. It’s only certain items that we see an increase in sales of. Water is a good example of this,” Jens Juul Nielsen said. “We are buying a bit more water, canned goods, and batteries for the stockpile, but generally, the impression is that Danes are taking it easy.”
At Salling Group, which operates Netto, Bilka, and Føtex, the same trend is observed. There has been a doubling in the sales of water, but the increase is at a manageable level. Salling Group also assures that their stock is filled with items such as water and canned goods, so there is plenty for everyone. The new crisis recommendations aim to help authorities better manage crises if the population is prepared. In addition to water and food, the Danish Emergency Management Agency also suggests having medication and hygiene products such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and tampons in stock. Iodine tablets are also on the list, and a review conducted by Berlingske shows that these are already sold out at several online pharmacies and health food stores.
The electronics chain Power announced in a press release that they have sold out of radios with solar panels and hand cranks due to the new crisis advice. The new recommendations have therefore created some skepticism among Danes, who have reacted by preparing for potential crisis situations while generally keeping a level head.