Empty shelves seen to persist in state’s supermarkets as restocking efforts continue
- Replies 16
As the residents of one state are well aware, the recent extreme weather events have not only disrupted daily life but have also had a significant impact on the availability of essential goods.
The heavy rainfall that closed critical transport routes, including the Eyre Highway and the Trans-Australian Railway Line, has resulted in a noticeable scarcity of products on supermarket shelves.
This has been a stark reminder of the vulnerability of Australia’s supply chains, particularly in remote and expansive regions.
Dairy products and meat are among the most affected, with consumers in WA reporting shortages of items such as flour, bread, almonds, diced tomatoes, deli goods, chilled items, and even pet products.
Social media has been abuzz with shoppers sharing their experiences of empty shelves and the struggle to find everyday items.
It's not just the homebrand products from Coles and Woolworths that are in short supply; even more expensive alternatives are becoming harder to find.
In response to the crisis, Woolworths Group chief executive Brad Banducci has acknowledged the ongoing issues and admitted that the issue may persist for about ten days more, at the least.
Despite this, he assured customers that efforts were being made to restock as quickly as possible.
‘For all of our Western Australian shoppers, there are still material issues in supply there,’ he said on Tuesday, April 16.
‘We're working very hard, and I know our competitors are, to get them back into supply.’
A Woolworths spokesperson has also stated that a large amount of stock is being sent by rail to help get levels 'back on track’, with a focus on chilled products such as cheese, margarine, juice, meat, and poultry.
Coles has also confirmed that they have stock en route to WA, with the expectation that the backlog of deliveries will clear soon, leading to improved stock levels in stores in the coming days.
The recent events have exposed the vulnerability of WA's freight network, with Western Roads Federation chief executive Cam Dumesny highlighting that about 80 per cent of freight into WA is transported by rail.
‘When you look at the national interstate freight disruptions, they're becoming more frequent and more intense and more often,’ he said.
‘Short, intense, geographically concentrated weather events are certainly exposing the vulnerability of our freight systems.’
The limitations of the road network during railway closures have compounded the problem, and Dumesny has called for a national policy on freight resilience, including one that tackles local stock storage options, to mitigate future disruptions.
‘We can't invest in the amount of trying to lift up 2,000 kilometres of rail line, 2,000 kilometres of road to connect us east-west, it's just too expensive,’ he stressed.
‘We need a strategy and we need a plan. Currently there isn't one.’
As we navigate these challenging times, it's important for those who may rely on consistent access to certain goods, to be aware of the situation and plan our grocery runs accordingly.
It may be wise to consider alternative sources for essentials, such as local markets or smaller grocers, which might not be as affected by the supply chain issues.
Moreover, this situation serves as a reminder of the importance of community support and resilience.
Sharing information with neighbours, offering to pick up items for those who might not be able to get to the stores themselves, and even exploring community bulk-buying options could be ways to manage the shortages.
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The heavy rainfall that closed critical transport routes, including the Eyre Highway and the Trans-Australian Railway Line, has resulted in a noticeable scarcity of products on supermarket shelves.
This has been a stark reminder of the vulnerability of Australia’s supply chains, particularly in remote and expansive regions.
Dairy products and meat are among the most affected, with consumers in WA reporting shortages of items such as flour, bread, almonds, diced tomatoes, deli goods, chilled items, and even pet products.
Social media has been abuzz with shoppers sharing their experiences of empty shelves and the struggle to find everyday items.
It's not just the homebrand products from Coles and Woolworths that are in short supply; even more expensive alternatives are becoming harder to find.
In response to the crisis, Woolworths Group chief executive Brad Banducci has acknowledged the ongoing issues and admitted that the issue may persist for about ten days more, at the least.
Efforts are underway to replenish depleted supplies of everyday goods in WA, but Western Australians might have to extend their wait by a bit. Image Credit: Facebook
Despite this, he assured customers that efforts were being made to restock as quickly as possible.
‘For all of our Western Australian shoppers, there are still material issues in supply there,’ he said on Tuesday, April 16.
‘We're working very hard, and I know our competitors are, to get them back into supply.’
A Woolworths spokesperson has also stated that a large amount of stock is being sent by rail to help get levels 'back on track’, with a focus on chilled products such as cheese, margarine, juice, meat, and poultry.
Coles has also confirmed that they have stock en route to WA, with the expectation that the backlog of deliveries will clear soon, leading to improved stock levels in stores in the coming days.
The recent events have exposed the vulnerability of WA's freight network, with Western Roads Federation chief executive Cam Dumesny highlighting that about 80 per cent of freight into WA is transported by rail.
‘When you look at the national interstate freight disruptions, they're becoming more frequent and more intense and more often,’ he said.
‘Short, intense, geographically concentrated weather events are certainly exposing the vulnerability of our freight systems.’
The limitations of the road network during railway closures have compounded the problem, and Dumesny has called for a national policy on freight resilience, including one that tackles local stock storage options, to mitigate future disruptions.
‘We can't invest in the amount of trying to lift up 2,000 kilometres of rail line, 2,000 kilometres of road to connect us east-west, it's just too expensive,’ he stressed.
‘We need a strategy and we need a plan. Currently there isn't one.’
As we navigate these challenging times, it's important for those who may rely on consistent access to certain goods, to be aware of the situation and plan our grocery runs accordingly.
It may be wise to consider alternative sources for essentials, such as local markets or smaller grocers, which might not be as affected by the supply chain issues.
Moreover, this situation serves as a reminder of the importance of community support and resilience.
Sharing information with neighbours, offering to pick up items for those who might not be able to get to the stores themselves, and even exploring community bulk-buying options could be ways to manage the shortages.
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