Online deliveries from supermarkets could take up to SIX WEEKS

Online deliveries from supermarkets could take up to SIX WEEKS as more people self-isolate at home for a fortnight amid coronavirus fears

  • The government have told all elderly and vulnerable to self-isolate for 12 weeks 
  • It fanned spike in internet delivery orders which has left retailers snowed-under 
  • Industry leaders said supermarkets would ‘never have enough’ capacity for this 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Overwhelmed supermarkets have warned they will not be able to keep up with the torrent of online food orders which surged as Britons braced for self-isolation.

The accelerating coronavirus crisis yesterday saw the government issue unprecedented guidance for Briton’s elderly to stay at home for 12 weeks.

It fanned a spike in internet delivery orders which has left retailers snowed-under and struggling to cope. 

The vulnerable were warned they could face up to six weeks for food packages as the delivery slots have already been snapped up. 

Industry leaders said supermarkets would ‘never have enough’ capacity to provide for each self-isolated person in their own home.

Ocado said it has seen ‘exceptionally high demand’ on its website, meaning delivery slots have sold out ‘quicker than expected’.

The online supermarket said it had to take its app offline ‘due to performance issues driven by continued high demand’.

Overwhelmed supermarkets have warned they will not be able to keep up with the torrent of online food orders which surged as Britons braced for self-isolation (empty shelves in a London supermarket amid panic-buying)

Ocado said it had to take its app offline 'due to performance issues driven by continued high demand'

Ocado said it had to take its app offline ‘due to performance issues driven by continued high demand’

A retail source told the Telegraph: ‘Online delivery accounts for about 7 per cent of our business. Even if you doubled to 14, there’s still a huge gap.

‘The reality is that neighbours and community groups will have to step in to deliver food. There’s no other way of doing it.’ 

Chief executives are in discussions with the Government about limiting products to ensure key lines remain in stock, although the prevailing view is that supply chains are holding up.

Environment secretary George Eustice will meet supermarket bosses today to discuss ways to help elderly and vulnerable people as they self-isolate from the rest of society. 

On Sunday, the UK’s largest supermarkets wrote to customers calling on them to be ‘considerate’ and stop stockpiling, amid frantic scenes in stores.

Panic-buying by customers has resulted in some supermarkets rationing sales of certain products in a bid to ensure supply is available to more shoppers.

On Sunday, the UK's largest supermarkets wrote to customers calling on them to be 'considerate' and stop stockpiling, amid frantic scenes in stores

On Sunday, the UK’s largest supermarkets wrote to customers calling on them to be ‘considerate’ and stop stockpiling, amid frantic scenes in stores

On Monday, Morrisons told shoppers it is increasing the amount of food it makes at manufacturing sites, increasing the volume of stock sent to stores and ‘introducing temporary purchase limits’ on products with high demand.

The supermarket has also said it will extend its home delivery service as retailers’ online operations attempt to cope with a surge in demand. 

Other supermarkets have also seen delivery slots fill up rapidly, with some shoppers saying on social media they have been unable to book home deliveries until April.

Environment Secretary George Eustice has continued to hold daily phone calls with supermarket chief executives to ensure customers will have the necessary supply of provisions.

A Government spokesman said: ‘We are in regular contact with the food industry to ensure it is well-prepared to deal with a range of scenarios.

The accelerating coronavirus crisis yesterday saw Boris Johnson issue unprecedented guidance for Briton's elderly to stay at home for 12 weeks

The accelerating coronavirus crisis yesterday saw Boris Johnson issue unprecedented guidance for Briton’s elderly to stay at home for 12 weeks

‘Retailers are continuing to monitor their supply chains and taking all the necessary steps to ensure consumers have the food and supplies they need.

‘We’ve introduced new measures to make sure businesses can continue to keep food supply flowing, such as extending delivery hours to supermarkets to ensure shelves can be replenished more quickly.

‘Representatives of our leading supermarkets have provided reassurance there is plenty of stock available.’

Analysts have suggested that supermarkets might cut down on their range of brands or products in response to the outbreak.

Bruno Monteyne, retail analyst at Bernstein, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘You can probably get 10 per cent or 15 per cent productivity improvement out of simplifying the range.’   

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