Woolworths introduces limits on almost everything to help stop panic-buying
Woolworths has announced a strict two limit rule on almost all items in a bid to curb panic buying amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Following in Coles’ footsteps, the supermarket giant said in a press release on Wednesday “there is now a per customer, per shop limit of two items from any single category on most packaged products across Woolworths supermarkets and Metro stores and online.”
“This means that you’ll only be able to buy two products from any single category or section (such as coffee), regardless of the brand or variety.”
Woolworths has also placed a one item limit per shopper on toilet paper, baby wipes, antibacterial wipes, paper towels, serviettes and bags of rice weighing more than 2kgs.
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There is no limit on how much fresh fruit and vegetables, meat (excluding mince), baked goods and drinks are available.
Items from the bakery, deli, as well as seafood, fresh milk, baby food, yoghurts, wet dog and cat food all have no restrictions.
There is no limit on Easter chocolates but all other confectionary is limited to two packs.
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Last week, Coles announced it will be enforcing a two-per-customer limit on items including pasta, flour, dry rice, paper towels, paper tissues and hand sanitisers.
The strict limits follow its earlier restriction to allow just one pack of toilet paper per transaction in the wake of chaotic scenes across Australian supermarkets that saw shelves emptied.
The supermarket giant has since implemented a two item per person limit on milk, pasta, flour, dry rice, paper towels, paper tissues, hand sanitisers, mince meat (including beef, pork, lamb, chicken and turkey), eggs, chilled pasta, frozen vegetables and frozen desserts.
Both Coles and Woolworths said the purchasing limits are to improve the availability for customers.
“We’ve made this change to help our suppliers and teams make as many products available to you as possible. So please respect these limits and only buy what you need to help as many Australians as possible access the products they need,” Woolworths wrote on its webpage.
Queensland changes laws to allow stores to be re-stocked
Queensland supermarkets will soon be able to restock 24-hours a day to keep food on the shelves, with the state government fast-tracking new laws in the midst of panic buying.
Current restrictions prevent some stores from restocking and operating their loading docks outside of business hours hindering the process to replenish stock.
The state government is expected to announce the changes on Wednesday. They will come into effect in days and allow them to operate 24-hours a day if needed.
with AAP
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