Salt sales soar amid concern over slippery pavements

Sales of salt have soared by up to 400% in supermarkets as customers stock up to clear slippery paths and roads.

Ice has been a problem around the country over the past few days after heavy snow and sub zero temperatures.

And amid criticism in some areas that pavements are not being cleared quickly enough, householders are taking matters into their own hands.

Morrisons said that sales of its 1.5kg bags of cooking salt have increased by almost 400% compared to the beginning of last week.

It has also seen a 340% increase in sales of its 1kg bags of table salt.

Asda said sales of salt have increased by 300% in the past week and Tesco also reported a rise in sales in the past few days.

There has also been a brisk trade in cat litter, which people use as an alternative to grit.

The Co-operative said there had been higher than usual demand for table salt because of the weather.

Angus Maciver, Morrisons group marketing and communications director, said: "With salt sales up by almost 400% compared to the same time last week, it is clear that our shoppers are trying to get a grip on the snowy weather."

Asda sold a quarter of a million standard size bottles last week, compared to 50,000 in a normal week, and sold six times more of its bigger bottles than usual.

A Co-op spokeswoman said: "Stock levels in stores vary across the country but we are expecting additional stock in from our suppliers today."

Sainsbury's said sales of cat litter at its stores were up 20% compared to this time last year, as people stocked up on it to use as grit and to ensure their pets do not have to go out in the freezing weather.

B&Q said sales of shovels were up 50% and wellington boot sales up 33% week on week.

Sales of rock salt soared 900% on the previous week, which was a 75% increase on the peak week last year.