Are there really folks out there who have no idea about cooking without using a microwave oven...
There are many, many Americans who have never used a barbecue, have never been camping or hiking, and have absolutely no idea what the simplest hobo stove might look like (or even realize that such a thing exists). Many of them probably haven't even cooked over an open flame on a home stove.
And if they have used a barbecue, they wouldn't have any idea what to do if they ran out of propane or briquets.
I don't know about your folks across the pond, but from the British I've met/known, they've always been able to step up to practically any job where the main requirement is common sense and a bit of handiness.
If WalMart had any sense at all (probably a false hope), they would hold some well-advertised Preparedness Fairs in their parking lots and show all the stuff they carry that would be useful in such a situation. But I won't be holding my breath for that to happen.
Sue