1.   MENTION Marks and Spencer to many men and the name conjures images of white Y-fronts, grey socks and last-minute panic buys on Christmas Eve.

2.   Dire rumors, panic buying and fears of political instability swept the country.

3.   Some traders said that spurred panic buying on concern the exchange would be forced to close early, leaving traders with positions uncovered.

4.   Retail stores in some parts of Jakarta and other cities reported panic buying by crowds tried to beat price increases.

5.   Retail stores in some parts of Jakarta and other cities reported panic buying of groceries by big crowds of shoppers trying to beat price increases.

6.   The coup failed, panic buying of dollars ceased, and world currency markets returned to normal.

7.   Tunky said the government was building up adequate stocks of basic food items and that panic buying was not only unnecessary but would also be harmful to consumers.