Coles says panic buying is slowing down finally

Business (near) normal: Coles boss says panic buying is finally slowing down – after weeks of terrifying shopping chaos

  • Coles says business returning towards normal after weeks of panic buying chaos
  • Supermarkets call for calm amid fears panic buying may spread to bottle shops
  • Woolworths introduced social distancing measure to ensure everyone’s safety 
  • Come after Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned Australians to stop hoarding 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

The panic buying frenzy by shoppers is finally slowing down with supermarket giants reporting ‘business has returned somewhere towards normal’.

Coles chief operating officer Matt Swindells said most shoppers over the weekend had taken note of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s stern warning to Australians last week to stop hoarding groceries amid the coronavirus outbreak.

‘I’m pleased to report that certainly the shopping through our supermarket business has returned somewhere towards normal, and that’s allowed the teams with all the hard work they’re putting in to get stock back into the system,’ Mr Swindells told Channel Nine’s Today Show on Monday.

Coles is reporting that business ‘somewhat returned to normal’ over the weekend after weeks of panic buying chaos. Pictured is Coles Bondi Junction in Sydney on Friday.

He then added there was still a long way to go.  

‘Anybody that has shopped over the weekend would see the gaps on shelves are still there and so we’ve got to continue this process of normalised demand, pushing more stock than ever, to put the supermarkets back together,’ Mr Swindells said.

He hoped the nationwide panic buying that has sparked chaos and hostile confrontations over scarce supplies in supermarkets in recent weeks doesn’t spread to bottle shops.

Shoppers rushed to liquor stores on Sunday to stock up on alcohol supplies amid fears they would be shut down before Mr Morrison later reassured bottle shops would remain open.

‘It would be really, really sad to think that the learnings from our supermarket shoppers can’t then translate into the bottle shops and we all hold our nerve and just shop in normal patterns, so we don’t see the same thing happen within liquor,’ Mr Swindells said. 

Coles bosses hope the panic buying chaos doesn't expand to its Liquorland bottle shops

Coles bosses hope the panic buying chaos doesn’t expand to its Liquorland bottle shops

Woolworths managing director Claire Peters also appeared on the program to assure customers the business working with federal and state government to ensure supplies continue to be delivered to stores across the nation after several states closed their borders.

‘Clearly our supply chain, just as Matt has described, is essential to restocking of the shelves. So we are able to do that across all borders in Australia,’ she said.

Woolworths has introduced new social distancing measures to ensure the 1.5 metre rule is being followed, which came into effect on Saturday. 

Supermarket giants hope the recent panic buying frenzy by shoppers will slow down. Pictured are two shoppers fighting over toilet paper

Supermarket giants hope the recent panic buying frenzy by shoppers will slow down. Pictured are two shoppers fighting over toilet paper 

‘It was really from feedback from our own team, wanting to ensure that they remained safe, because being an essential, as supermarkets are, which will remain open through this health crisis, we wanted to ensure we were doing some of what were the PM described, which would be included having that – easiest to describe it as a trolley’s width between you and the next customer,’ Ms Peters said.

‘You will see some markings in the store which we encourage customers to help each other with, just to keep that distance.’

The supermarket giants remain unsure of whether they will go as far as limiting shoppers to 50 in store at any time.

‘I think we need to consider all options= that keep the team safe, and give the public confidence that they can continue to shop,’ Mr Swindells said. 

‘The crisis is evolving and we’re working closely with Department of Health. We will do what it takes.’

It appear shoppers are listening after Mr Morrison called for panic buying frenzy addressed the nation last week, describing it as unAustralian.

‘Stop hoarding. I can’t be more blunt about it. Stop it,’ he said.

It’s not sensible, it’s not helpful and I’ve got to say it’s been one of the most disappointing things I’ve seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis. 

‘That is not who we are as a people. It is not necessary. It is not something that people should be doing.’

 

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