Why do people panic buy?

As fears over fuel supply ripple through Australia, UNSW Business School experts say panic buying is driven as much by instinct and expectations as by actual shortages.

Don’t panic!

Panic buying toilet paper is a quick mental fix that makes people feel more prepared and less anxious, says a UNSW consumer behaviour expert, given the news of rising COVID-19 infections in Victoria and fears of a second wave of infection.

Australia leads the world – in panic buying

New research released by UNSW Sydney on COVID-19 consumer panic shopping has shown that Australian consumers top the globe in panic buying habits – in speed and scale.