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| Coronavirus: Supermarkets ask shoppers to be 'considerate' and stop panic buying | Coronavirus: Supermarkets ask shoppers to be 'considerate' and stop panic buying |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Supermarkets are urging shoppers not to buy more than they need amid concern over coronavirus-linked stockpiling. | Supermarkets are urging shoppers not to buy more than they need amid concern over coronavirus-linked stockpiling. |
| In a joint letter, UK retailers have reminded customers to be considerate in their shopping, so that others are not left without much-needed items. | In a joint letter, UK retailers have reminded customers to be considerate in their shopping, so that others are not left without much-needed items. |
| "There is enough for everyone if we all work together," it adds. | "There is enough for everyone if we all work together," it adds. |
| It comes after some shops began rationing the sales of certain products to avoid them selling out completely. | It comes after some shops began rationing the sales of certain products to avoid them selling out completely. |
| In the letter, the retailers say online and click-and-collect services are at "full capacity" and staff and suppliers are "working day and night to keep the nation fed". | In the letter, the retailers say online and click-and-collect services are at "full capacity" and staff and suppliers are "working day and night to keep the nation fed". |
| The retailers say they are working "closely" with government and suppliers to make more deliveries to stores so that shelves are well-stocked. | The retailers say they are working "closely" with government and suppliers to make more deliveries to stores so that shelves are well-stocked. |
| "We understand your concerns but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without," the letter reads. | "We understand your concerns but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without," the letter reads. |
| That was echoed in an email to customers from Sainsbury's boss Mike Coupe, who said: "There are gaps on shelves because of increased demand, but we have new stock arriving regularly and we're doing our best to keep shelves stocked." | That was echoed in an email to customers from Sainsbury's boss Mike Coupe, who said: "There are gaps on shelves because of increased demand, but we have new stock arriving regularly and we're doing our best to keep shelves stocked." |
| In a plea to shoppers, he said: "Please think before you buy and only buy what you and your family need." | In a plea to shoppers, he said: "Please think before you buy and only buy what you and your family need." |
| Speaking on behalf of retailers, Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said: "In the face of unprecedented demand as a result of coronavirus, food retailers have come together to ask their customers to support each other to make sure everyone can get access to the products they need." | Speaking on behalf of retailers, Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said: "In the face of unprecedented demand as a result of coronavirus, food retailers have come together to ask their customers to support each other to make sure everyone can get access to the products they need." |
| The plea follows widespread concern over shoppers emptying supermarket shelves as fears grow over the spread of coronavirus. | The plea follows widespread concern over shoppers emptying supermarket shelves as fears grow over the spread of coronavirus. |
| Items including toilet paper, hand sanitiser, pasta and tinned foods are among those that have been in short supply. | Items including toilet paper, hand sanitiser, pasta and tinned foods are among those that have been in short supply. |
| That has led some supermarkets to limit the sale of some products, while Aldi has restricted customers to buying a maximum of four of each item. | |
| Tesco, shoppers are limited to buying no more than five of certain goods, including anti-bacterial gels, wipes and sprays, dry pasta, UHT milk and some tinned vegetables. | |
| Meanwhile, Waitrose has brought in a temporary cap on some items on its website, including some anti-bacterial soaps and wipes. | Meanwhile, Waitrose has brought in a temporary cap on some items on its website, including some anti-bacterial soaps and wipes. |
| Boots and Asda are both restricting some types of hand sanitiser to two bottles per person. | Boots and Asda are both restricting some types of hand sanitiser to two bottles per person. |
| Campaigners have warned stockpiling could hit the "most vulnerable" hardest. | Campaigners have warned stockpiling could hit the "most vulnerable" hardest. |
| Some food banks say they have a shortage of basic items which have already been panic bought by shoppers. | Some food banks say they have a shortage of basic items which have already been panic bought by shoppers. |
| The government has said there is no need for anyone to stockpile items, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging people to "behave responsibly and think about others". | The government has said there is no need for anyone to stockpile items, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging people to "behave responsibly and think about others". |
| The government is relaxing restrictions on delivery hours for retailers to try to ensure shops remain stocked with basic items. | The government is relaxing restrictions on delivery hours for retailers to try to ensure shops remain stocked with basic items. |
| Deliveries to supermarkets are usually restricted overnight to avoid disturbing local residents. | Deliveries to supermarkets are usually restricted overnight to avoid disturbing local residents. |
| Environment Secretary George Eustice said allowing night-time deliveries would allow stock to move more quickly from warehouses to shelves. | Environment Secretary George Eustice said allowing night-time deliveries would allow stock to move more quickly from warehouses to shelves. |
| Meanwhile, the Competition and Markets Authority watchdog has warned retailers not to "exploit" fears about coronavirus by dramatically increasing the price of protective goods such as hand gels and face masks. | Meanwhile, the Competition and Markets Authority watchdog has warned retailers not to "exploit" fears about coronavirus by dramatically increasing the price of protective goods such as hand gels and face masks. |
| Have you been stocking up because of the coronavirus? Have you been affected by panic buying? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you been stocking up because of the coronavirus? Have you been affected by panic buying? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |