Bunnings introduces tough new shopping restrictions on everything from cleaning products to batteries as panic buyers rush to the store to stock up on items they can’t get a Coles and Woolworths
- Bunnings has put restrictions on how many cleaning products shoppers can buy
- There’s limits on cleaning products, garden sprayers, batteries and storage units
- Shoppers will be limited to one item of methylated sprits, turps and face masks
- There has been a spike in sales of office supplies, as people work from home
Bunnings is putting limits on how many cleaning products shoppers can buy as panic buyers race to stock up on items not sold at supermarkets.
The hardware giant has followed in the footsteps of Coles and Woolworths, who placed restrictions on certain staple items during the COVID-19 pandemic.
From Thursday, customers will be limited to buying four items each of cleaning products, garden sprayers, batteries or storage containers.
Shoppers will also be restricted to one item of face masks, methylated sprits, turps, gas bottles, generators or fuel cans.
Customers can now only buy four items each of cleaning products, garden sprayers, batteries or storage containers, and will be restricted to one item of methylated sprits, turps, gas bottles, generators or fuel cans
Bunnings Managing Director Michael Schneider told the Today Show that customers have been predominantly stocking up on cleaning products and face masks.
He said there’s also been a spike in sales of office supplies, as a growing number of people start to work from home.
‘As the uncertainty continues we want to make sure we can reassure customers that if you come to Bunnings you can get the products you are looking for,’ Mr Schneider said.
‘And you can get the things done at home you need too.’
The hardware retailer will also be looking at hiring more staff if the government allows stores to stay open.
The hardware giant has followed in the footsteps of Coles and Woolworths, who placed restrictions on certain staple items during the COVID-19 pandemic
It comes after a Bunnings worker revealed how staff are facing appalling treatment from customers amid coronavirus panic buying.
Luke, who works in a Melbourne store, got emotional as he told radio station GOLD104.3 about ‘disrespectful, impatient people’ visiting stores.
‘It’s a struggle … we are trying, we are definitely trying 100 per cent … trying not to have a breakdown is impossible. Woolworths, Coles any retail worker, we are doing our best,’ the worker said.
‘We are run off our feet, we are trying our best – understand that everyone, and for those that are giving us respect and are being patient we can’t thank you enough,’ he said.
‘It’s a struggle … we are trying, we are definitely trying 100 per cent … trying not to have a breakdown is impossible. Woolworths, Coles any retail worker, we are doing our best.’
Bunnings was forced to issue a statement to its social media accounts on Tuesday calling for calm as customers flocked in their hundreds to prepare for potential lock-down.
‘We’re committed to providing a safe environment for everyone and we thank the community for practicing social distancing in our stores to help with this. Our team are doing their best to help customers get the products they need,’ Bunnings wrote.
Supermarkets across the country have already been subjected to panic-buying with shelves regularly stripped of necessities such as toilet paper, hand sanitiser and canned food.
Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi have implemented a one-pack-per-customer limit on toilet paper and rice along with two packet limits on some other items.
Customers have been arriving at stores hours ahead of deliveries and waiting in line to purchase items.