The spread of COVID-19 has seen people frantically stock their cupboards and freezers, with empty supermarket shelves a common sight worldwide. Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Leonard Lee, a marketing professor at the National University of Singapore, to understand the human needs that fuel panic-buying.

From stockpiling toilet paper to dropping £100 on a plain t-shirt, hype can get people doing all sorts of seemingly strange things. Canvas8 spoke to Gemma Milne, author of Smoke & Mirrors, to learn more about this psychological phenomenon and the role it can play in a public health crisis.

While the coronavirus pandemic has driven many to stockpile things like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, others are buying up less essential items for stress relief. In the US, sales of marijuana have experienced a surge as people seek comfort and escape during a time of uncertainty.

With stockpiling and panic-buying causing many products to sell out during the COVID-19 outbreak, many of the UK’s most vulnerable are having a hard time shopping for essentials. To help them, some supermarkets are opening early to let the elderly shop in peace without having to compete with others.