There may not be any zombies, but stark images of deserted streets, sombre warnings to stay at home, empty shops and tales of fights over paracetamol and hand sanitiser could easily be scenes from a dystopian epic and retailers have a starring role.

As is often the case in times of national strife, food stores are being relied upon to keep the country moving. If people can’t eat they can’t work, and they certainly can’t survive a potentially deadly infection.