// Asda reduces opening times & rations products in response to coronavirus outbreak
// The grocer is also closing its cafes and pizza counters due to the pandemic
Asda has joined the growing number of grocers introducing new measures in stores and online to combat panic buying as a result of the coronvirus pandemic.
The grocer’s chief executive Roger Burnley said in a letter online that Asda has “implemented a limit on the number of items that can be purchased to make sure everyone can get what they need”.
Asda has also made the decision to temporarily close 24-hour stores between midnight and 6am to better assist with restocking shelves, in a similar move to Tesco which reduced its opening hours earlier in the week.
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“I wanted to personally reassure you that we are working really hard to keep our shelves stocked and serving your community,” Burnley said.
The grocer is “working around the clock” to try keep products available, including hand sanitizer, cleaning products and baby formula.
“I’d also ask that you try to shop responsibly and not buy more than you need so that everyone, including the vulnerable, have access to the essentials.”
Asda is also going to temporarily close its cafes and pizza counters to “free up room for colleagues” in its warehouses and keep shelves stocked.
Burnley asked shoppers to be patient with colleagues “as they try to do their very best during these unprecedented times”.
He also asked its cleaners to focus on cleaning more frequently in “high traffic areas”.
Asda said its demand for online shopping has increased and asked shoppers to be flexible in delivery or collection times.
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