Woolworths, Coles has new limits on those stockpiling items for coronavirus pandemic
Shopping giant Woolworths has put new limits on the purchase of toilet paper as rival Coles also makes changes on what shoppers can buy.
Companies
Don't miss out on the headlines from Companies. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Woolworths have moved to put new limits on the purchase of toilet paper in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
As US president Donald Trump declared a national emergency over the fatal COVID-19, Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci announced the new measures on Saturday morning.
In an email sent to customers, Mr Banducci wrote: “We’ve been working hard to keep our shelves stocked and Delivery and Pick up windows available. However, as you are no doubt aware, demand is still very high and products are being bought more quickly than usual when they arrive in store.
“To help everyone access the essential things they need, limits are now in place on toilet paper, wipes, paper towels, serviettes, rice and some other items.
It also, unfortunately, means that toilet paper won’t be available for Pick up orders for the time being, but our team will be happy to see if toilet paper is available in store when you come in to pick up your order.
Our toilet paper suppliers continue to work on meeting increased demand, and we’re working with some suppliers to prioritise the production of smaller pack sizes, so we can make more packs available to you this week.”
The latest moves from the supermarket giant came as its rival Coles put strict new limits on the sale of pasta, flour and dried rice.
Coles CEO Steven Cain said the new rules will go beyond the existing limits on toilet paper.
From Saturday, the supermarket will limit the sale of pasta, flour, dried rice, paper towels, paper tissues and hand sanitisers to two items per customer.
“We will also be introducing some additional limits on certain items in each store. These can vary between stores,” he said.
Coles will also suspend the “change-of-mind” refund policy to discourage over-purchasing.
“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.”
MORE: Donald Trump declares national emergency
Virus may spread before symptoms show
Coronavirus v flu: what’s the difference?
The move comes after Woolworths enforced new limits on many more items amid the toilet paper debacle sweeping the country.
The latest items to be added to the limit list including tissues, paper towels, serviettes and wipes.
It comes after a horror few weeks with toilet paper restrictions across all stores for Woolworths, Coles and Aldi.
The supermarket this afternoon announced the following:
– Tissues: Two pack per limit her shop – Paper towel, serviettes and wipes – one pack per shop.
In addition to this, hand sanitiser is limited to two bottles per shop and 2kg bulk rice packets has been limited to one pack per shop.
On Wednesday last week (March 4), Woolworths took the unprecedented step of enforcing a four-pack limit on toilet paper purchases.
Coles matched Woolworths in limiting toilet roll purchases to four packs per person.
But due to demand, Coles has since limited customers to one pack per person, and Woolworths has limited its customers to two packs per person.
Costco is limiting customers to two 48-packs of toilet paper, while Aldi is restricting customers to one pack now instead of four packs of toilet paper.
Aldi is also enforcing a longstanding 10 pack limit on essentials such as long-life milk, tissues, paper towels and hygiene products.
Ritchies Supermarkets has also limited its shoppers to buying two toilet roll packs per person as of this week.
Ritchies CEO Fred Harrison said they are getting deliveries most days to most stores.
“The problem is we are only receiving small quantities of toilet rolls,” he said.
“There is no shortage of toilet rolls if people purchased sensibly and absolutely no need to panic buy.
“We need the public to be a little bit more responsible. We’re not going to be isolated indoors for months – we will be able to get out and shop. Manufacturers can tool up, but it does take time and it’s not something that can be fixed in quickly.
“It’s paper goods that are the biggest movers at the moment, namely toilet roll, as we all know. But it’s also tissues, hand towels, long life milk, rice, flour, pasta and biscuits – basically the products that don’t have a use-by date are in high demand.
“Fresh produce and the deli have not yet been impacted but we are also starting to see red meats fly off the shelves.
“Obviously, you can freeze meat, so people are taking the opportunity to stock up and put some extra packs in the freezer.”
But it’s not just toilet paper — Woolies is now restricting customers to a maximum 2kg bag of rice.
Hand sanitiser can only be bought behind the counter, with a limit of two per transaction.
As the panic buying over the COVID-19 coronavirus continues, the supermarket giant has urged customers to be patient and warned more limits may follow.
“These are unusual and challenging times,” Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci said.
“We know it can be frustrating when we don’t have the products you need, or when delivery or pick-up windows are filled more than usual.
“We’re working very closely with our suppliers to get products onto shelves as quickly as we can. The makers of Kleenex, Sorbent, Quilton and Woolworths own range of toilet paper have all increased their production to meet this very unusual demand.
“The makers of Kleenex are now manufacturing 24 hours, 7 days a week at their Millicent, SA factory, as are Sorbent in their NSW and Victorian facilities.
“And the makers of Quilton have tripled their normal production across their factories in Queensland, NSW and WA.
“It’s worth noting that the vast majority of products aren’t affected and most stores aren’t seeing significant shortages.
“But to make sure everyone has access to essential items, we’ve introduced some commonsense limits to a few products.”
Mr Banducci warned that other product lines also may be affected.
“If we see new shortages, we may introduce other limits,” he said.
The race to stock up on essential goods including toilet paper and household staples has resulted in chaos at supermarkets across the country as the global outbreak of coronavirus continues to spread.
WOOLIES WON’T TAKE PANIC-BUYING REFUNDS
Panic buyers stockpiling toilet paper, baby wipes and other long-life necessities at Woolworths will not be allowed refunds due to mind changes, the supermarket giant has announced.
Only those with a faulty item and proof of purchase will be “cheerfully refund the purchase price, exchange or repair the product”, Woolworths listed on its website.
Shoppers have also been met with the notice in stores across the country, which states products including tissues, serviettes, pain relief, cleaning products, pasta and sauces, flour, bread mixes, cooking oils and rice will not be refunded because of mind changes.
“We’re continuing to monitor the situation and we’ll keep you updated in our stores and on our website,” the notice in stores reads.
The notice online also states “rainchecks will not be available on any advertised stock purchased until further notice.”
“‘Advertised stock’ includes any product advertised for sale, or which is on promotion in store at a Woolworths Supermarket or Woolworths Metro store,” the Woolworths notice read.
News Corp is reaching out to Coles for comment on similar items.
PAULINE HANSON: USE GUM LEAVES INSTEAD OF LOO ROLL
Pauline Hanson has offered a novel solution as Australia’s toilet paper stockpiling pandemonium continues.
The One Nation leader said people who live in the outback use gum leaves instead of loo roll, as she slammed those who are hoarding it as “idiots”.
She added those who ran out of toilet paper could also rinse themselves off in the shower.
“I tell you what if you can’t do that then get in the bloody shower and wash yourself down for Christ’s sake,” Ms Hanson told the Today show.
“I can’t believe how people are going berserk over this whole thing.
“They’re idiots. People have become so precious these days.”
MORE NEWS
$120 billion wiped off ASX in just 15 minutes
Coachella ‘in doubt’ amid virus case
Aussie couple’s 16-day virus cruise nightmare
New Uber Pets trial begins – but comes at an extra price
Ms Hanson said the coronavirus outbreak should also serve as “a wake up call” to the Federal Government and businesses.
“I think they need to have a hard look at themselves about encouraging manufacturing and industry in Australia,” she said.
“Make ourselves self-reliant instead of relying on product from overseas. I hope that we start looking at that now in light of the coronavirus.”
WHITE KING SEES SURGE IN POPULARITY
And White King, who manufacturers bleach and disinfectant in Shepparton in regional Victoria, is the latest business to run out of warehouse stock – it’s the first time in its 60-year history.
Woolworths’ director of group replenishment Paul Harker warned customers not to rush to stores and grab copious supplies of goods including toilet paper.
“There is no need for customers to panic buy essential pantry and household staples in Australia,” he said.
“While we’ve experienced short-term challenges due to unprecedented demand our suppliers are ramping up deliveries and production to maintain stock availability for our customers.”
In the past week the supermarket giant has reported a sharp increase in the need for long-life pantry items such tinned soup, pasta, rice and canned vegetables and household staples including toilet paper.
Other popular items flying off the shelves include paper towels, tissues and hand sanitiser.
However, those within the retail industry said the rush on goods has largely been a metro phenomenon and regional and rural shoppers have just being predominantly shopping as normal.
Rival supermarket Coles said they have kept up strong supplies of goods and customers should “only buy what they need”.
“Coles is in ongoing contact with suppliers, government stakeholders and transport partners to determine how best to improve availability on popular products, such as long-life pantry staples and healthcare items,” a spokeswoman said.
“The vast majority of the products in our range remain available as normal and we encourage customers to buy only what they need.
“We apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused by temporary stock shortages and thank them for their patience.”
The Australian Retailers Association’s Russell Zimmerman urged “consumers to go about their business as usual”.
“We’re comfortable there’s no risk to the availability of food or household essentials; with major retailers maintaining high inventories, if a brand you wish to purchase isn’t available today, it’ll probably be back on the shelf tomorrow,” he said.
“There is plenty of stock in distribution centres to supply retailers of essential items across the country.”
Originally published as Woolworths, Coles has new limits on those stockpiling items for coronavirus pandemic
Amazon CEO makes huge WFH decision
The boss of Amazon has made a major announcement to staff about working from home, as he moves to “remove layers” from the business.
ASX 200 hits new high; Platinum soars on Regal bid
New Hope's underlying earnings still solid on 'robust' coal price. Platinum urges no action amid Regal bid assessment. Casino operator Star agrees lender terms. Genesis back to claim control of dental group Pacific Smiles. Webjet demerger vote.