Panic buying has become a very real phenomenon in recent years – from the toilet paper catastrophe of 2020 to the fuel shortage of 2021 – but why do we panic buy?

1. The Fear Factor

Anxious waiting. Source: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash — Anxious waiting. *Source: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash*

When it comes to shortages, it seems to be that all anyone can do is talk about them. Hearing the loud whispers across room, the silent shouts on social media and the alarming “not to worries” on the news are enough to send anyone into a frenzy.

It's hard to separate the rumours from the truth when it all just gathers on itself, so we find ourselves joining the queues in the shops or at the garage… just to be "safe".

2. The Need for Control

A man unpacking his shopping. Source: Mick Haupt on Unsplash — A man unpacking his shopping. *Source: Mick Haupt on Unsplash*

Anxiety makes us feel small and out of control. When we are worried about something, we often look for a solution and sometimes that's securing that last bag of toilet rolls on the shelf.

Stockpiling is just another way for us to take back control of our narrative – the world’s gone mad, but at least we have our toilet rolls.

3. The Fearmongering Facts

A petrol pump. Source: Red Dot on Unsplash — A petrol pump. *Source: Red Dot on Unsplash*

The truth can be harsh, and sometimes we just don't want to see it. It can be hard to avoid, though, when it's plastered all over the news and social media.

Sure, we've heard the news tell us at least ten times now not to panic, but the more they tell us, the more panicked we're getting. We know they mean well, but sometimes the "reassurance" just adds to the problem.

4. The Fear of the Unknown

A mobile phone with a news story. Source: Annie Spratt on Unsplash — A mobile phone with a news story. *Source: Annie Spratt on Unsplash*

Right, well … what’s going on? Do you know? Does anyone know? No? Well, that’s great.

2020 was the year of the unknown, and with all that uncertainty, came panic buying and stockpiling. I mean, it kind of made sense; no one knew if Covid-19 was just the flu or the apocalypse. Panic buying was a natural reaction to the confusion of what was happening – we might not have known if we'd turn into zombies, but at least we knew what we were having for dinner the next night.

5. The Fear of Missing Out

A queue in a supermarket. Source: John Cameron on Unsplash — A queue in a supermarket. *Source: John Cameron on Unsplash*

Well, if everyone else is doing it, shouldn't we be too? It’s hard to sit back and watch, especially when the TV’s blaring in the background about shortages.

We know we should sit back and watch, but in the back of our minds, we can't help but worry that if we stay where we are, we will end up with nothing. So, instead of acting logically, we get into fights with our neighbours over packets of pasta.

Well, there you go, there are all the reasons we might join the masses and take once fruitful products and make them temporarily extinct. It's not an exact science, but it does help to explain why we rush away to the shops in a frenzy after watching the news. After all, we're only human.

But if you can, please try not to panic buy, it doesn’t solve problems, it just creates them.

Five Reasons We Panic Buy