pubs running dry 
MILLIONS of Brits spent yesterday panic-buying essentials such as bread and soup as homes across the country were hit by blizzards
Supermarket shelves were emptied as fearful customers stocked up on thermal underwear and cat litter, an emergency answer to salt.
Hundreds of pubs across Britain ran dry as beer lorries were cut off in the treacherous icy conditions.
As businesses struggled with HALF of workers absent, food suppliers failed to arrive at shops.
Absence management specialists FirstCare said missing workers cost the economy ?700million in one day.
Over three weeks the figure could top ?14.5billion, warn experts.
Aaron Ross, of FirstCare, said: ?We have never seen absence rates like this before.?
Asda has seen a 55% increase in sales of cat litter in just two days, while cooking salt is up five-fold at Morrisons and rock salt sales are up 150% at B&Q. Tesco said sales of soup were up 80% on two weeks ago.
The deepening winter chill was encouraging shoppers to stock up on cold weather gear, with thermal underwear sales up 10-fold at Asda and wellies also selling well.
And many have prepared to spend a night in the car, with motoring chain Halfords reporting a boost in sales of sleeping bags.
The firm?s Diane Perry said: ?A lot of people were caught out before Christmas, now they?re preparing.?
Tesco?s Simon Williams added: ?The last snowfall two weeks ago caught many people out.
?It appears that shoppers are being more canny and are stocking up just in case.?
