With an increasing number of us being told to stay at home and self-isolate, it's no suprise we're getting concerned about our food supplies.
If you've been to the shops this week you'll have noticed the bare shelves and dwindling supplies of everyday essentials as a result of stockpiling.
And with some experts suggesting the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis could go on for months, supermarkets have urged those who are self-isolating to book their delivery slots in advance and write in the description box when you make your order that you are self-isolating.
The good news is, all supermarkets have assured shoppers that there is plenty of stock on its way to shleves and that the stock is there and being ordered in.
How are supermarkets stopping stockpiling?
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Tesco are limiting customers to three of any product and only two of toilet and paracetamol.
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At Sainsbury's, customers can buy up to three of any grocery product and up to two of in-demand items like toilet paper, soap and long-life milk.
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Asda are letting customers purchase up to three of any food, toiletry or cleaning product.
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Aldi is limiting customers to four of any product.
Find out what the leading supermarkets are advising their customers to do during this very difficult period:
Asda
Asda have put additional cleaning materials into stores and asked cleaners to focus on cleaning more frequently in the busier aisles. To make it easier for you to clean trollies and baskets before you use them, the cleaning stations in the foyers of the store are being topped up more regularly.
With products such as with hand sanitizer, cleaning products and baby formula – Asda have implemented a limit on the number of items that can be purchased to a maximum of two bottles of gel per customer to make sure everyone can get what they need. They also ask that customers try to shop responsibly and not buy more than needed so that everyone, including the vulnerable, have access to the essentials.
Demand for online shopping has increased and Asda are asking customers to be as flexible in delivery or collection time as possible. All delivery drivers have sanitizer spray so they can continually ensure they’re able to keep your shopping clean and hygienic.
If you do need to self-isolate for any reason, Asda are asking that you let them know of your situation in the ‘Other Information’ section when placing your order. This section allows you to choose the option of where you’d like your order to be left – be that your doorstep or communal entrance and the drivers will bring it there for you. They’ll use bags rather than boxes and let you know they’ve arrived. If you’re unable to collect your order quickly then drivers will give you a call, but because they have so many deliveries to make at the moment, if they can’t get hold of you after a few minutes, then the order will be returned to the store and the order cancelled and refunded. For your reassurance and theirs, drivers will wear gloves when they’re delivering to anyone who is self-isolating.
You can contact the Asda customer service team on 0800 952 0101
Tesco
Tesco have reassured customers that there is no need to panic buy and to prevent those less vulnerable from missing out, they have put restrictions in place to limit stockpiling. Shoppers are limited to buying no more than five of certain products including antibacterial gels, wipes and sprays, dry pasta, UHT milk and some tinned vegetables.
Tesco have also introduced measures to reduce the virus spreading in stores including distancing measures at checkout, making the hour between 9am and 10am for those who are elderly and vulnerable, closing all stores (including 24-hour stores) at 10pm to allow shelves to be restocked and all deli, fresh meat and salad bars will be closing.
You can contact the Tesco customer service team on 01992 632222
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's have ordered more essential items to their stores, set limits on a small number of items, including some cleaning products, soap and pain relief. There is also a five-item limit on things like dry-pasta, anti-bacterial wipes, UHT milk, children's medicine, bottled water and tinned vegetables both online and in store. This is to help make sure there will be enough for everyone.
They are asking customers to think before they buy and only buy what them and their family needs.
Sainsbury's are still continuing to take online delivery orders, but there may be a slight delay to the usual fast delivery turnaround customers are used to because of the high-demand.
You can contact the Sainsbury's customer service team on 0800 636262
Morrisons
Handwash and children's medicines are being limited at Morrison's so people can't bulk buy. They have also began to order more food from British food suppliers to not rely on imports from other countries.
Cleaning regimes have also increased in stores to boost staff, customer and food hygiene. And while more stock has been delivered to stores, temporary limits have been placed on certain items to allow more people to purchase. In addition to this, cafes and pizza counters will be closed.
Home delivery services are being extended to meet the demands of customers who can't leave the house so they receive the groceries they need.
You can contact the Morrisons customer service team on 0345 611 6111
Ocado
The online only food ratailer have been forced to stop new customers registering with them for the time being and there are also long queues for existing customers because of 'exceptionally high demand' due to shoppers placing 'particularly large orders.' In addition, no delivery slots are currently available.
They have also been forced to take their online app offline as it kept crashing due to demand.
You can contact the Ocado customer service team on 0345 656 1234
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