Supermarket shoppers nationwide hit with purchase limits

Familiar scenes of supermarket aisles being stripped of goods are happening nationwide, forcing grocery companies to act. See what the new limits are in your state or territory.

Woolworths and Coles shoppers have been hit with new purchase limits as lockdown unleashes their “primordial urge” to panic buy.

The supermarket giants have limited toilet paper to two packs per customer in the NSW and the Northern Territory.

Coles shoppers in Western Australia’s Perth and Peel region will also face the same restrictions, while Woolworths customers in the Australian Capital Territory will also be limited to purchasing two packs of loo roll.

Those in the top end will also face buying limits on other items when shopping at Coles.

It has also introduced a two pack limit on face masks, minced meat, chicken breasts and chicken thighs at all of its Northern Territory stores.

Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci labelled the panic buying sweeping the states and territories as a “frustrating” repeat of 2020.

Panic buying, like this at Forest Lake, Brisbane supermarket, has led to purchase limits. Picture: @comicrobbrown/Twitter

“Frustratingly, we currently have a two-pack per shop limit on toilet paper after we’ve seen surge buying leading to some shortages in-store and online,” Mr Banducci said in an email to customers.

“It seems the almost primordial urge to pantry stock toilet paper is still symbolic of these times.

“We expect to be back in full stock in the next few days and as previously, we’d ask you to only buy what you need.”

A spokeswoman for Coles said they were encouraging customers to buy only what they needed.

“Our stores will remain open during the lockdowns and they can shop as normal during this time. We’ve increased deliveries and we are regularly restocking shelves to ensure we continue to meet customer demand.”

The spokeswoman urged shoppers to stay calm, shop normally and be respectful to staff.

“We have plenty of stock in our supply chain, and purchase limits are a temporary measure to help us manage demand so that we can return our stores to a fully-stocked position as quickly as possible.”

Aldi have not yet introduced any limits.