Shoppers stock up with salt, soup and shovels to cope with snow

If Britain's transport authorities have been caught out by the freezing weather conditions around the country, savvy shoppers have been much better prepared. Retailers are reporting a surge in sales of cat litter, table and dishwasher salt – used as a cunning substitute for grit to de-ice drives and pathways – while shoppers are also stocking up with warming soups, ready meals and alcohol. Waitrose said sales of dishwasher salt had soared by 400% on the same time last year, while at B&Q sales of rock salt rose by 150%, with strong demand for shovels and wellies. Tesco confirmed that shoppers were busy stocking up on essential winter warming foods. Soup sales in the last 24 hours are already up 80% on two weeks ago when the last big snowfall hit the UK. Ready meals have also proved popular, it said, and sales are up 40% in two weeks. Sales of flasks and travel mugs are up over 160% on this time last year, Sainsbury's reported, as commuters brave the cold weather armed with a hot drink for their journey. With sales of hotpots and casseroles already up 20% as people seek out comfort foods, Sainsbury's said it was stocking up on frozen goods, tinned foods, soups and ready meals as customers prepare for being snowed in. Marks & Spencer said sales of soup were up by 50% and pies up by 30%. David Bailey, Sainsbury's weather analyst, said: "We know shoppers' buying habits change according to the weather – a temperature change of three degrees from the seasonal average can result in sales of some products going up by as much as 50%. We've been working hard to forecast conditions and ensure our shelves are fully stocked with everything our customers need to see them through this cold spell." Consumers are also stocking up with warmer clothing in order to brave the cold. Waitrose said sales of tights were up 20%, sales of wool and cashmere socks have increased by 50%, and shoppers are buying more bubble baths and scented candles (up 11%) to pamper themselves when they get back home. Waitrose said alcohol – the classic antidote to the cold weather – was selling well across all categories. Liqueurs are up 48%, rum 13% and whisky 12%. Classic British bottled ales are up 45%. A B&Q spokesman said: "From rock salt to shovels and wellies, the big freeze is certainly having an impact on weather-related products. In the last three weeks, compared with last year, sales of rock salt are up 150%, shovels up 200% and wellies up 120%."