Coles introduces product limits after new wave of panic buying
Coles has introduced product limits in stores across Australia to stop panic buying after the state was placed into lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Minor panic buying broke out in Melbourne and surrounding regions on Thursday. Pictures posted on social media show shelves stripped bare at Woolworths and Coles stores in the city.
"The world moves on to vaccines... as Melbourne reverts back to toilet paper wars," a resident lamented on Twitter, sharing a photo of empty Woolies shelves.
On Friday morning, Coles announced it was introducing product limits on toilet paper purchases.
“To ensure more customers have access to toilet paper, Coles has introduced a temporary two pack per person limit in Victoria,” Coles said in a statement.
“We have plenty of stock in our supply chain, and this temporary measure will help us to manage demand so that we can return our stores to a fully-stocked position as quickly as possible.
“All Coles supermarkets, liquor and Coles Express sites will continue to trade during the lockdown in Victoria with enhanced cleaning and safety measures in place.
“We ask that customers stay calm, shop normally and be respectful to our hard-working team members.”
Victorian passengers kicked off iconic train amid Covid fears
Alarming theory about 'highly infectious' Covid strain in Victoria
Woolworths to monitor supply demand
Woolworths told Yahoo News Australia on Thursday it will be “monitoring demand closely”.
“We have plenty of supply available across our store network," a Woolworths spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.
"And we will continue to replenish stock as needed. As always, we ask customers to be mindful of others in their community and buy only what they need."
All of Victoria was placed into a snap seven-day lockdown on Thursday as an outbreak of coronavirus grew to 26.
If you're interested in more news from Victoria click here.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
