Empty shelves, and ‘agro’ shoppers see elderly shopping hour come unstuck

A lack of supplies has shattered the hopes of some elderly Brisbane shoppers who hoped to stockpile in peace for the coronavirus pandemic during a dedicated shopping hour at Woolworths this morning.

SENIOR shoppers were left disappointed by a lack of supplies after gathering en masse at Woolworths stores for a designated shopping hour for the elderly and the disabled amid the coronavirus crisis.

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Woolworths Supermarkets managing director Claire Peters conceded that the first day of dedicated shopping “wasn’t perfect”, but said stores would endeavour to restock appropriately for the coming week.

“We’re doing the very best we can to get more stock into our stores and onto shelves as quickly as possible in the face of unprecedented demand,” she said.

“While we’ve heard positive feedback from many stores across the country, we regret that many customers were unable to get all the items they needed this morning.

“We’ll continue to operate the dedicated hour for the rest of the week - taking on the lessons of the day and getting better along the way.”

Early morning senior shoppers at Woolworths, Ashgrove. Picture: Liam Kidston

Today was the first day Woolworths “dedicated shopping hour” initiative, with the company announcing that between 7-8am – “until at least Friday” – its stores would be open exclusively for those with government issued concession cards.

Brisbane shoppers certainly made the most of the initiative with crowds gathering at Woolworths Ashgrove in the hopes of snagging some much needed necessities.

Early morning senior shoppers at Woolworths, Ashgrove. Picture: Liam Kidston

Entering the shops was more like queuing for a nightclub – Woolworths store officials checked IDs for every member of the queue, only allowing entry to the elderly and disabled.

Inside, shopping traffic congested the aisles with scores of customers hoping to seize the day by seizing sanitary products and non-perishable foodstuffs.

While some shoppers appreciated a “more civilised” shopping atmosphere, the lack of supplies created a different sense of shopping panic.

Early morning senior shoppers at Woolworths, Ashgrove. Picture: Liam Kidston

“It’s getting a bit desperate, you can’t buy red meat … there’s no mince, no bread,” said shopper Susan Tate.

Early morning senior shoppers at Woolworths, Ashgrove. Picture: Liam Kidston

Bread shelves had not been restocked, fridges were bereft of meats.

“It’s a bit sad… You have to resort to buying frozen dinners,” Ms Tate said.

“There’s nothing there,” said Allen Newton pushing an empty trolley.

Limited meat stocks during early morning senior shopping at Woolworths, Ashgrove. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I walked past the meat and it was all gone.

“Pastas, rice, toilet paper – you wonder if these will become trading items,” Mr Newtown pondered.

Early morning senior shoppers at Woolworths, Ashgrove. Picture: Liam Kidston

Early morning senior shoppers at Woolworths, Ashgrove. Picture: Liam Kidston

Other customers – donning gloves and surgical masks – were seen with trolleys full of non-perishables.

Reports surfaced of “not stocked shelves”, “agro” shoppers and “security” and “police” presence at other stores.

The @woolworths hour for vulnerable/elderly was gr8 in theory but not in practice.
➡️ Sick & elderly all congregated in one spot.
➡️ Crowds were insane, people getting agro.
➡️ Supermarket failed to restock shelves.
➡️ Security and police in tow.
➡️ People leaving empty handed.

— Sophie Elsworth (@sophieelsworth) March 16, 2020

“It’s getting much more alarmist lately,” Brisbane senior Marie Marinelli said.

Originally published as Empty shelves, and ‘agro’ shoppers see elderly shopping hour come unstuck