Panic buying leads to rationing move at Aldi
Date published: 16 March 2020
The Aldi store in Shaw
Grocery giants Aldi, which has stores in Chadderton, Failsworth and Shaw, has decided to put a rationing system in place following an at-times crazy weekend flurry of selfish stockpiling from panic buyers.
Aldi's CEO Giles Hurley has issued a statement to shoppers to update them about stock levels.
Posting on Facebook, he said: "As you will be aware, all supermarkets have been working very hard to keep up with demand over the last few days.
"I am writing to reassure you, and all our other valued customers, that our colleagues and trusted suppliers are working round the clock to keep our warehouses fully stocked.
"We have increased orders from our suppliers and our warehouses have sufficient stock to replenish all stores.
“This includes all of the essentials such as sanitary and baby products.
"Our amazing colleagues have been working tirelessly to restock our stores. However, unprecedented demand for certain products has made it difficult for us to ensure that there are no gaps on shelves.
"All of our stores receive daily deliveries, often multiple times a day.
“So if a certain product is not available when you visit, it will be replenished in the overwhelming majority of cases by the following day.
"We have taken action to discourage people buying more than they need.
“Customers are currently limited to buying four items of any one product during each visit.
“This is still significantly more than most customers would buy in a normal shopping trip and we hope this temporary restriction will give as many customers as possible the opportunity to get what they need, every time they visit.
"I’m sure, like me, you are also concerned about those who are vulnerable at this time.
“Not everyone has the financial or practical resources to buy in bulk, including our elderly customers.
“We all have a responsibility to ensure we only buy what we and our families need.
“If we shop as we normally do, our stores will quickly return to normal.”
Meanwhile, Shares in Primark owner Associated British Foods have been suspended, amid falling sales during the pandemic.
It comes after the discount clothing retailer said it had been forced to temporarily close stores which make up a third of its sales due to coronavirus.
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