ARTICLE POSTED 15TH MARCH 2020
We’ve thought long and hard before sharing these images.
We know that the content of this article will feel pretty shocking to many of our readers, but we decided it’s our duty to share the situation as we find it and use this opportunity to explain why our communities ought to be especially thoughtful about their behaviour at the moment.
The supermarket shelves at Sainsbury’s Cheadle were looking pretty bare when we photographed these images (on the evening of Saturday 14th March) but the following day many of the shelves had been restocked – only to be emptied again by shoppers busily stocking up.
It’s widely been stated that there’s plenty food and sanitary products in the supply chain, but demand on supermarkets has increased dramatically and they’re struggling to keep up.
Explaining the situation in a letter to customers, Sainsbury’s chief exec Mike Coupe said: “If we all shop just for the food that we and our families need, there will be enough for everyone.”
Mr Coupe reassured shoppers: “I wanted to personally reassure you that we have more food and other essential items coming to us from manufacturers and into our warehouses and distribution centres.”
It follows a joint letter issued by the UK’s largest supermarket chains on Sunday urging people to curtail the panic-buying of recent days.
The Sainsbury’s boss urged: “Please think before you buy and only buy what you and your family need.
“If we all do this then we can make sure we have enough for everyone.”
Fruit and veg
Frozen
Bread and pasta
Cleaning products
Canned goods and tea
Fresh meat
Prepared meals and dairy
Mike Coupe’s letter in full:
You will have seen that, due to the ongoing uncertainty around the full impact of Coronavirus, supermarkets have been much busier than usual and customers are choosing to stock up.
I wanted to personally reassure you that we have more food and other essential items coming to us from manufacturers and into our warehouses and distribution centres. If we all shop just for the food that we and our families need, there will be enough for everyone.
I also wanted to let you know that at Sainsbury’s, we are working really hard to ensure this remains the case.
Over the past two weeks we have:
- Ordered more stock of essential items from our suppliers
- Put more capacity into our warehouses and
- Set limits on a small number of items, including some cleaning products, soap and pain relief. This is a precautionary measure – if everyone shops normally, there will be enough for everyone.
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.
Our store colleagues are working tirelessly and doing the best job they can.
Which brings me onto a request. Please think before you buy and only buy what you and your family need.
If we all do this then we can make sure we have enough for everyone. And please help elderly and vulnerable friends, family and neighbours with their shopping if you can.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and to thank our colleagues who are all working incredibly hard to ensure we can continue to serve our customers well.
