COVID-19 Update – Information on Supermarkets
March 19, 2020Information and advice for shoppers
Supermarkets are urging shoppers not to buy more than they need and not to stockpile unnecessarily.
UK retailers are asking for customers to be considerate in their shopping and have reassured customers that there are enough essential items for everyone as long as people shop responsibly.
In response, many supermarkets have announced a number of different measures to either assist older or vulnerable people who would otherwise be self-isolating to get their shopping, either in store or by delivery. Others have taken measures to reduce opening hours or limit the number of certain items shoppers can buy in order to help replenish stock more quickly.
Below is a list of supermarket chains and some of the measures each of them have put in place. This is not an exhaustive list and we would advise residents to call ahead to their local store locations to find out more.
Please note that this information was correct as of 18 March 2020 and may be subject to change, we will update this as soon as any updates become available so please keep checking back.
Sainsbury’s
From Monday 23rd March Sainsbury’s customers who are classed as vulnerable and those over 70 will be given priority for online delivery slots. And on Thursday 19th March the first hour of shopping will be dedicated to older and vulnerable people in its 600 UK stores.
Ic
Iceland outlets across the country have introduced reserved time slots to give the vulnerable and the elderly a chance to shop in store. These slots vary from store to store – please contact your local Iceland branch to find out what times are available.
Morrisons
Morrison’s have introduced temporary purchase limits on products where there is high demand, so they remain available for longer for more customers to buy
Tesco
Tesco has announced that its stores will reduce their hours to between 6:00 and 22:00 including all 24-hour opening stores. Tesco also has a five-item per person rule in force online and in store for products including: anti-bac gel, wipes, sprays, bleach, dried pasta, UHT milk, tinned veg, kids medications & water.
Asda
Asda are asking customers to shop responsibly. From 18th March, customers will only be able to buy up to three of any product across all food items, toiletries and cleaning products. They will be temporarily closing non-essential services this week (for example, cafes and pizza counters).
They will be temporarily closing 24 hour stores between 00:00 and 06:00 for restocking.
Home delivery drivers are equipped with sanitiser spray so service remains clean and hygienic.
If self-isolating, customers can advise when placing online order and tell us where they would like us to leave their order. Drivers will then wear disposable gloves when delivering orders and use bags to deliver shopping, rather than plastic totes.
Aldi
Staff and suppliers are working round the clock to keep our warehouses fully stocked.
They have increased orders from suppliers and warehouses have sufficient stock to replenish all stores. This includes all of the essentials such as sanitary and baby products. They are discouraging people from buying more than they need. Customers are currently limited to buying four items of any one product during each visit.
Lidl
Quantities for some products restricted to six items per customer.