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Supermarket bosses have urged shoppers not to panic, while Asda is recruiting 1,000 safety marshals, as the industry prepares for a possible change in shopping habits ahead of new restrictions. closing.
Tesco chief Dave Lewis said the warehousing was “unnecessary” as there were no disruptions to product supply chains as a result of new government measures to address the rise in Covid-19 infection.
Giles Hurley, the head of the UK discount chain Aldi, wrote to customers saying: “There is no need to buy more than you normally would. I would like to assure you that our stores are fully stocked and ask that you continue to shop with consideration.
“We have remained open to our customers during the pandemic and will continue to have daily deliveries, often several times a day, on all of our products.”
Asda said it would post security officers at store entrances where they would provide sanitized baskets and carts to shoppers and remind them of government guidelines for wearing a face cover and maintaining social distancing while shopping. Those who show up without a mask will be offered a pack of disposables that they can pay for with their store.
Lewis told Sky News: “The message would be reassuring. I think the UK saw how well the food industry was run last time so there are very good food supplies. ”
Lewis was referring to the speed with which supermarkets restocked after a surge in sales of canned goods, toilet paper and dry pasta in March, which swept the shelves of many supermarkets.
“We just don’t want to see a return to unnecessary panic buying because that creates a tension in the supply chain that is not necessary.”
Hurley and Lewis have spoken out after reports that shoppers have started picking up additional produce after the prime minister warned of a possible tighter shutdown of homes if new restrictions, including early pub closures, failed. control the virus.
While supermarkets say there are no signs of panic buying yet, toilet paper roll sales jumped 23% over the past week, according to a supplier to major supermarkets, while shoppers have also been buying additional canned goods. , paste and tablets to relieve pain from the weekend.
In March, supermarkets were forced to clamp down, including rationing products like pasta, toilet paper and flour, after the arrival of the coronavirus in Britain triggered a storage wave.
With the industry eager to avoid a repeat this fall, the British Retail Consortium has urged shoppers not to change their shopping habits.
The new Asda bailiffs come after Morrison reinstalled bailiffs at the doors of his 494 supermarkets, after a break of several months, to better monitor the number of shoppers and remind those entering to wear face covers. .
Anthony Hemmerdinger, Asda’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We know that safety remains a key priority for our customers and we will continue to do our best to keep them and our colleagues safe in the store, as we have done since the inception of the pandemic. “
