Some of the UK’s leading food retailers have come together to appeal to shoppers to stop panic buying during the coronavirus outbreak, saying purchasing more than they need will mean others are left without.
Reports in recent days have shown supermarket shelves stripped bare of items such as toilet roll, cleaning products, tinned food, pasta, and medicines. This has led to concerns that the more vulnerable and elderly members of society will be unable to access such products.
A joint letter (see below) coordinated by the British Retail Consortium is being published in national newspapers. It aims to reassure customers about the extra steps being taken to keep shops stocked with goods during the coronavirus crisis.
In the letter, retailers call on their customers to support one another during this challenging time. Speaking their behalf, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC said: “Retailers are working incredibly hard to keep shops well-stocked and deliveries running as smoothly as possible. In the face of unprecedented demand as a result of coronavirus, food retailers have come together to ask their customers to support each other to make sure everyone can get access to the products they need.”
Retailers signing the letter include Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Lidl, Tesco, Aldi, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Asda, Iceland, Morrisons, Ocado and Costcutter.
