Coles introduces purchase limits as major supermarket chains warn customers of supply chain issues — “only buy what is necessary”
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Coles introduces purchase limits as major supermarket chains warn customers of supply chain issues — “only buy what is necessary”
Aussies might need to brace themselves for the coming weeks as supply chain issues on some grocery staples brought about by the rising COVID-19 cases worsen.
Yesterday, we were sad to inform you that a number of Australians have taken to social media to report that the shelves in their local supermarket stores are empty.
More and more shelves in supermarket stores are going empty as the rising COVID-19 infections impact workers. Credit: 9NEWS.
As a response to the alarming food supply chain crisis, major supermarkets have advised customers to shop carefully.
Coles announced that it will be imposing a purchasing limit on certain grocery items in all of its supermarkets and online stores across Australia, with the exception of stores located in Western Australia.
The items with limitations are:
- Chicken breasts (limit of two packs per customer)
- Chicken thighs (limit of two packs per customer)
- Mince (limit of two packs per customer)
- Sausages (limit of two packs per customer)
- Hough Covid-19 Home Test Kit (limit of one pack per customer, excluding WA)
Coles’ announcement can be found at this link.
Coles chief operations officer Matthew Swindells said that the supermarket chain's stores on the east coast will be most heavily affected by the stock issues, particularly New South Wales and Greater Sydney.
Mr Swindells also warned Aussies that we will be seeing food shortages at their stores for "another couple of difficult weeks" as the increasing COVID-19 infections in the country has affected their staff numbers.
"You might not find every product you're used to," he said.
"You might have to change the brand or buy a different pack size but you can certainly still get a good food shop so you won't run out of food."
He encourages Aussies to only buy products that are necessary for them.
Although Coles is imposing a purchase limit, Mr Swindells assured the public that the supermarket giant will continue monitoring product availability.
Woolworths will not be imposing purchase limits but have announced that they are facing delivery delays. Credit: Google Maps.
Meanwhile, a Woolworths spokesperson confirmed that it will not be introducing product limits.
"Our customers have been shopping in reasonable quantities and are only buying what they need, so we don't believe product limits are needed at this stage," the spokesperson said.
"We're currently experiencing delays with some of our stock deliveries to stores due to COVID-related impacts on our supply chain operations."
"We have stock available within our network and our teams and suppliers are doing all they can to replenish stores as quickly as possible."
"We will continue to closely monitor product availability across our stores."
Aldi said that the company was doing its best "to minimise any disruption to our customers" albeit the "additional pressure" they are experiencing due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
It is understood that the cause of the empty shelves that are greeting shoppers at supermarket stores is absenteeism amongst staff due to COVID-19 infections, rather than product shortages or panic buying.
Additionally, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) confirmed that about 50 per cent of truck drivers were now off work sick because of COVID.
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