The red-shirt demonstration in Bangkok has boosted sales in modern trade outlets - supermarkets and larger outlets - by 20-70 per cent, with rice and instant noodles the best sellers.
With consumers fearing price hikes and supply shortages, they purchased certain commodities in advance, according to an Internal Trade Department report.
"It is a short-period phenomenon and things will be back to normal when consumers trust there is an adequate supply of goods in all modern trade channels," said Chutima Bunyapraphasara, the department's director-general.
Along with rice and instant noodles, consumers also stockpiled cooking oil, canned fish, fish sauce and drinking water.
The department conducted the survey from March 7 to 16 in and around Bangkok. Areas that were found to have significant increases in sales volume were Pathumwan, Klong Toei, Ram-Indra and Rattanathibet.
Chutima said the department had not found hoarding or price speculation by modern traders or other retailers during the protest. Most enterprises said consumer goods were adequate for the higher demand.
Meanwhile, 35 branches of 7-Eleven convenience stores located in and around the areas of red-shirt rallies, also reported high rates of selling.
Suwit Kingkaew, senior vice president of CP All, said sales of food and beverages had grown significantly during the protest period. The company has faced some difficulties in stocking the affected stores because of transportation problems.
He added that the company did not close down its shops during the rally, as it expected the protests to go off without any violence.
In other news, Chutima added that due to a decline in the sugar price in the world market, supply had returned to normal.
The price of refined sugar in London was down from a peak of US$734 (Bt23,700) a tonne in January to $520 as of Tuesday.
Chutima said the price of sugar had plunged to close to the average price of $486 a tonne last year due to Brazil, which is one of the world's leading suppliers, releasing a large amount into the market. Therefore, the shortage-driven price hike should be relieved soon.
As an immediate measure to increase sugar supply in the country, the ministry will distribute 700 tonnes nationwide next week.
