Tesco has joined Morrisons in reinstating the rationing of some essential grocery products following a spike in demand amid the government’s latest restrictions aimed at curbing a second wave of COVID-19.
Morrisons said yesterday it was limiting consumers buying items such as soap, rice, toilet rolls, disinfectants, and bleach to a maximum of three items. It has also applied some caps to online orders. “We’ve got decent stock levels but we want to be sure that they are available for everyone,” said a spokesperson for Morrisons.
Meanwhile, Tesco announced today that it was introducing a three-item limit on some key groceries such as flour, dried pasta, toilet roll, baby wipes and antibacterial wipes.
Tesco said its restrictions applied to all stores with some additional limits online. “We have good availability, with plenty of stock to go round, and we would encourage our customers to shop as normal,” said a Tesco spokesperson.
“To ensure that everyone can keep buying what they need, we have introduced bulk-buy limits on a small number of products.”
The moves echo the beginning of the first wave of COVID-19, when supermarkets were forced to impose restrictions on purchases because of people stockpiling.
Earlier this week, Tesco’s CEO Dave Lewis had stressed there is no disruption on supply chains. Aldi’s UK boss Giles Hurley also reassured customers there is no need to stockpile.
Kimberly-Clark, the maker of Andrex toilet rolls, told Reuters that it was currently seeing a moderate increase in the demand, but that it had more than enough product to ensure a steady supply across the UK.
Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble said it felt good about its level of preparedness “for whatever turns the retail market might take,” using its learnings from the first wave. A spokesperson for Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of Dettol cleaning products, told Reuters that it has optimised its supply network to maximise production, and will continue to do everything it can to meet increased consumer demand.
Commenting on reports that shelves had been stripped bare in some supermarkets, Andy Brian, head of retail at law firm Gordons, highlighted that food stores had not closed during the first lockdown and there was “even less chance” they would close in the event of another one. “Hopefully, shoppers will adopt a calmer approach than earlier in the year, and continue to shop as normal,” he said.
NAM Implications:
- Unfortunately, some shoppers regard any buying limits as an incentive to stockpile.
- That said, suppliers seem poised to manage any surge, this time.
- Result being that after the initial panic, sales will drop as consumers work through the surplus.
