Sometimes people just buy stuff because an article suggested it was a good idea.
The same people were buying Salt in 10 pound bags. I guess if you are curing a ham that would be needed....But these folks did not look like they had hogs at home.
If they’ve got the space, I can’t really question that prep (the salt).
It literally lasts forever if kept dry.
YOu can also use it to make pickles or other things.
Ditto the 50lb bag of sugar. I buy that once a year and use it to make hummingbird food.
YMMV, of course.