Flamin’ eck! Stampede to stock up on festive puds

SALES of Christmas puddings are up by 76 per cent compared to last year amid fears of gaps on shelves.

Stores have also seen a surge in sales of frozen turkeys following warnings from industry leaders that there will be at least 20 per cent fewer fresh birds available.

The HGV driver shortage has been blamed for gaps on shelves, which are expected to worsen in the run-up to the festive season.

Most food is sold fresh in the week before Christmas – but some people are stocking up on items with a long shelf life, such as puddings. Fraser McKevitt, of retail analysts Kantar, who provided the figures, said: ‘A minority of very prepared shoppers took the chance to get ahead... 44 ,000 eager consumers bought their Christmas pudding in September, with sales 76 per cent higher than in the same month last year.’ But he added: ‘These are still relatively small numbers and anxiety around supply issues has not translated to panic buying – festive or otherwise.’