https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...t-sales-of-essentials-to-prevent-panic-buying
Australian supermarkets limit sales of essentials to prevent coronavirus panic buying
Coles and Woolworths limit sales of rice, flour and other items to prevent stockpiling and ensure availability for all
Australian Associated Press
Sat 14 Mar 2020 00.24 GMT Last modified on Sat 14 Mar 2020 00.28 GMT
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Coles and Woolworths have introduced limits on items including rice, flour, toilet paper and hand sanitiser to prevent panic buying in Australia due to coronavirus. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian
Supermarket giants have put limits on purchases of food staples to prevent panic buying sparked by the coronavirus.
Coles and Woolworths have introduced a limit on some goods to ensure there is enough for everyone, especially the elderly, by preventing people stockpiling.
Coles customers will be limited to two packets of pasta, flour, rice, paper towels, paper tissues and hand sanitiser per transaction, it confirmed on Friday.
Coles Group chief executive officer Steve Cain said there are “some additional limits on certain items in each store” and has temporarily suspended change-of-mind refunds.
3:22
The Frant: who should you listen to about coronavirus? Not the people stockpiling toilet paper
“From today we will be temporarily suspending our change-of-mind refund policy to discourage over-purchasing,” he said in the statement.
“If you have already purchased additional items you no longer want, please look at donating them to community organisations or neighbours who have been struggling to purchase them during this time.”
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Coles customers will be limited to two packets of pasta, flour, rice, paper towels, paper tissues and hand sanitiser per transaction. Photograph: James Gourley/AAP
Earlier in the week, Coles reduced their toilet roll limit from four packs to one per transaction, after shoppers stripped shelves amid fears of the spread of Covid-19.
Woolworths has dropped its toilet paper limit to one pack per customer transaction and restricted purchases of other basics.
Shoppers at Woolworths can buy two packs of tissues and hand sanitiser, and one pack of rice, paper towels, serviettes and wipes per shop.
The company will also no longer accept change-of-mind refunds and exchanges on some products in higher demand than usual, including toilet paper, tissues, rice and pasta.
Both companies are working to bring in more stock to keep up with panic-buying demand.
Australian supermarkets limit sales of essentials to prevent coronavirus panic buying
Coles and Woolworths limit sales of rice, flour and other items to prevent stockpiling and ensure availability for all
Australian Associated Press
Sat 14 Mar 2020 00.24 GMT Last modified on Sat 14 Mar 2020 00.28 GMT
43
Coles and Woolworths have introduced limits on items including rice, flour, toilet paper and hand sanitiser to prevent panic buying in Australia due to coronavirus. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian
Supermarket giants have put limits on purchases of food staples to prevent panic buying sparked by the coronavirus.
Coles and Woolworths have introduced a limit on some goods to ensure there is enough for everyone, especially the elderly, by preventing people stockpiling.
Coles customers will be limited to two packets of pasta, flour, rice, paper towels, paper tissues and hand sanitiser per transaction, it confirmed on Friday.
Coles Group chief executive officer Steve Cain said there are “some additional limits on certain items in each store” and has temporarily suspended change-of-mind refunds.
3:22
The Frant: who should you listen to about coronavirus? Not the people stockpiling toilet paper
“From today we will be temporarily suspending our change-of-mind refund policy to discourage over-purchasing,” he said in the statement.
“If you have already purchased additional items you no longer want, please look at donating them to community organisations or neighbours who have been struggling to purchase them during this time.”
Facebook Twitter
Coles customers will be limited to two packets of pasta, flour, rice, paper towels, paper tissues and hand sanitiser per transaction. Photograph: James Gourley/AAP
Earlier in the week, Coles reduced their toilet roll limit from four packs to one per transaction, after shoppers stripped shelves amid fears of the spread of Covid-19.
Woolworths has dropped its toilet paper limit to one pack per customer transaction and restricted purchases of other basics.
Shoppers at Woolworths can buy two packs of tissues and hand sanitiser, and one pack of rice, paper towels, serviettes and wipes per shop.
The company will also no longer accept change-of-mind refunds and exchanges on some products in higher demand than usual, including toilet paper, tissues, rice and pasta.
Both companies are working to bring in more stock to keep up with panic-buying demand.
