Coronavirus: Woolworths boss issues grim toilet paper message as Coles slaps shoppers with new limits

Coles has introduced new restrictions to panicked shoppers shortly after PM Scott Morrison announced strict new self-isolation measures.

Coles has introduced new restrictions to panicked shoppers shortly after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced strict new self-isolation measures for all travellers entering Australia.

In a Facebook post Sunday afternoon, the supermarket added mince to the growing list of restrictions, including pasta, flour, dry rice, paper towels, paper tissues and hand sanitisers - all limited to two items per customer.

RELATED: Follow more coronavirus updates here

“As the situation around Coronavirus continues to develop, we want to ensure you have the most up to date information on product availability,” the supermarket giant said.

“The purchase of mince, pasta, flour, dry rice, paper towels, paper tissues and hand sanitisers is limited to 2 items per customer. Toilet paper remains limited to 1 pack per customer. There may also be additional limits on certain items in each store, please visit your local Coles for more information.”

Coles also said it will also be temporarily suspending our change-of-mind policy to discourage over-purchasing.

As the situation around Coronavirus continues to develop, we want to ensure you have the most up to date information on...

Posted by Coles on Saturday, 14 March 2020

On Friday, Coles announced a raft of strict new limits in a bid to ensure shelves don’t run dry of essential items in the wake of coronavirus.

Previously, Coles had restricted shoppers to the purchase of one pack of toilet paper, per customer, per shop. Other items could be bought in bulk.

However, the company expanded the restrictions to rice and pasta among other items.

Friday evening Coles’ chief executive office Steven Cain said staff had been working “as hard as possible” to get more products on shelves – but more action needed.

“As the situation around coronavirus continues to develop, we believe that everyone in the community should have access to their share of grocery items, particularly the

elderly,” he said.

Coles is increasing its limits of the amount that can be bought in stores.

From Saturday, pasta, flour, rice, paper towels, tissues and hand sanitiser was be limited to two items per customer per shop.

The company also following Woolworths in temporarily suspending change-of-mind refunds 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,”

“We will get through this together,” Mr Cain added.

WOOLWORTHS

Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci issued a grim message about toilet paper supplies on Saturday as Australians continued to panic buy and stockpile among a number of household “staples’.

In an email sent to hundreds of customers, Mr Banducci said toilet paper “won’t be available for pick up orders for the time being”.

“Limits are now in place on toilet paper, wipes, paper towels, serviettes, rice and some other items,” he said.

“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.

“Our team will be happy to see if toilet paper is available in store when you come in to pick up your order.

“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.

“These remain challenging times and with the situation evolving.”

RELATED: Coronavirus: New grocery limits at Coles, Costco, Woolworths

Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci's email to customers contains a grim message about toilet paper supplies.

Mr Banducci said Woolworths had augmented its cleaning and hygiene practices with “an extra 4 hours of proactive deep cleaning in each supermarket every day”.

He also said if any customer or employee of at any individual supermarket was confirmed as having COVID-19 “we’ll let you know in that store”.

The grocery store also announced that they’ve partnered with Meals On Wheels to deliver toilet paper to the nation’s seniors.

“We’ve now partnered with Meals On Wheels to begin the delivery of toilet paper directly to seniors in need,” the supermarket wrote.

“The first deliveries were made in NSW today and we’re doing what we can to expand this service in the weeks to come.”

Woolworths has partnered with Meals on Wheels to deliver toilet paper to old people. What I’m trying to say is congratulations Australia. 🇦🇺👍#coronapocalypseً #covid19aus pic.twitter.com/VfESp9tOZO

— Byron Kaye (@byronkaye) March 13, 2020

Woolworths has also recently revealed a list of extensive shopper restrictions it has imposed to kerb panic buying.

In addition to limits on toilet paper, hand sanitiser and bulk packs of rice, the supermarket giant has imposed limits on tissues paper towels, serviette and wipes.

Woolworths has also announced shopper restrictions in a bid to kerb panic buying. Picture: Christian Gilles

Woolies’ customers are limited to a two-pack purchase per shop of tissues, paper towel, serviettes, wipes and toilet paper.

Hand sanitiser is limited to two units per shop while bulk rice purchases (2kg and upwards) are limited to one pack per shop

Online shoppers are still able to have their food delivered. However, both the major grocers are now offering no contact delivery.

“In the interests of driver safety, we have a dedicated delivery option for customers who feel unwell or are in self-isolation, which sees our drivers leave the orders unattended,” a Woolworths spokesman said today.

“For all other orders, we’re continuing to offer delivery in the home.

“Our transport partners have been issuing regular advisories to all delivery drivers on hygiene protocols and workplace safety.

“We’ll continue to monitor and respond to the latest public health advice in all our operations.”

A Coles spokeswoman said they were continuing to monitor the coronavirus situation very closely.

“Demand for Coles Online has increased in the past two weeks, with many customers using our home delivery and Click & Collect services,” she said.

“We have opened additional delivery windows and have extra delivery vans on the roads to meet the customer demand.

“Customers who notify Coles that they are self-quarantined will receive an unattended delivery.”

She said every Coles Online van had also been equipped with hand sanitiser.

“We are confident that the measures we have in place are adequately addressing known risks, and we will continue to take advice from the Department of Health on this matter,” she said.

“As a food retailer, Coles already has very high standards in place for the cleanliness of our stores. We have reinforced comprehensive cleaning and hygiene guidelines with all our team members for high-touch areas and are following our food safety plans.”

Originally published as Coronavirus: Woolworths boss issues grim toilet paper message as Coles slaps shoppers with new limits