// UK grocers urge consumers to stop stockpiling as the coronavirus outbreak continues
// Retailers told shoppers to be more considerate so there’s enough left for everyone
// They are working “closely” with the government to ensure shelves are fully stocked
UK grocers have urged shoppers to be considerate when shopping as the coronavirus outbreak has led to many of them stockpiling unnecessarily.
In a joint letter, retailers told consumers to be mindful in their shopping, so that others can also purchase necessary items.
The retailers said there are enough items if “everyone works together”.
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Many grocers such as Tesco and Aldi have already begun rationing the sales of certain products to avoid them selling out completely.
In the letter, the retailers say online and click-and-collect services are at “full capacity” and staff and suppliers are “working day and night to keep the nation fed”.
The retailers say they are working “closely” with the government and suppliers to make more deliveries to stores.
As we have seen an unprecedented demand across our range, we will be limiting customer purchases to four units on all products to ensure all of our customers have an opportunity to purchase them. We thank you all for your patience during this time. (2/2)
— Aldi Stores UK (@AldiUK) March 14, 2020
“We understand your concerns but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without,” they wrote.
Meanwhile, BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “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.”
Shoppers have been emptying supermarket shelves as fears grow over the spread of coronavirus.
Items such as toilet paper, hand sanitiser, pasta and tinned foods are among those that have sold out.
Moreover, Boots and Asda are both restricting hand sanitiser sales to two bottles per person.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to “behave responsibly and think about others” in the midst of the outbreak.
The news comes after UK supermarkets said they were struggling to cope with the rapid increase in online orders.
Online grocer Ocado saw its website and app crashing several times on Friday as shoppers scurried to shop online in a bid to self-isolate.
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