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Supermarkets Introduce Product Purchasing Limits

by | Thu, Jan 6 2022

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Product limits have been reintroduced in Coles supermarkets, as retailers grapple with staff shortages and supply chain disruptions.

The latest increase in COVID-19 cases has caused significant disruption to the supply chain – with trucks off the road – staff waiting for test results – or unable to come to work due because they are sick.

Coles shoppers will only be able to buy two packs of minced meat, chicken breast or thighs, and two packs of sausages.

More items are likely to be added to that list.

Rapid antigen test kits have been limited to one per customer.

Woolworths says it’s not introducing any product limits yet – aside from rapid antigen tests – however they are experiencing stock delivery delays.

The supermarket chain has warned customers they may not find everything they’re looking for.

The Transport Workers Union says large logistics operators have up to half their workforce absent – amid testing delays and scarce rapid tests.

Coles chief operating officer Matt Swindells says they were already facing supply chain issues before the current COVID-19 wave.

Mr Swindells said, there’s been “a shortage of pallets, and a shortage of truck drivers”.

“We still managed to execute Christmas, but Christmas comes with higher sales, and now we’re somewhere on the backfoot, trying to make sure that we can keep the food supply lines going”, said Mr Swindells.

Shoppers are being urged not to panic-buy.

On Wednesday, Richies IGA boss Fred Harrison said, the last thing they want to do is ration products, and urged customers to buy “normal quantities” of items.