Panic buying sets in as Brisbane prepares for lockdown

Panic buying has set in across Greater Brisbane, with supermarkets stripped of many essential items ahead of a snap lockdown that will start at 5pm on Monday in response to a growing COVID cluster.

The lockdown is expected to affect Easter sales as customers on Monday started panic buying, leaving shelves bare of products such as toilet paper and meat.

Empty toilet paper shelves at New Farm Coles on Monday.Credit: Cloe Read

Customers have reported long queues at supermarkets across the Brisbane region.

It has prompted Woolworths to reinstate its purchase limits on a range of products, including milk, eggs, pasta, rice, flour, and toilet paper across Greater Brisbane because of the spike in demand.

Coles, however, have decided against purchase restrictions, saying it would be easier for customers to complete their entire shop in one trip without purchase limits, rather than in multiple visits over a number of days.

Comment has been sought from Aldi.

The National Retail Association said a prolonged lockdown could have a “detrimental impact” on jobs, especially as JobKeeper ended over the weekend.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged Queenslanders not to panic buy, saying stores had plenty of supply.

But QUT retail professor Gary Mortimer said shelves were already empty, with panic buying expected to be more prominent on Monday afternoon, once the lockdown takes effect at 5pm.

“Disappointingly we will see some empty shelves later this afternoon, as panic buying has resumed once again, but we will see that replenish within 24 hours,” he said on Monday.

“This is one of the busiest weeks of year for supermarkets ... the week leading up to Easter is traditionally the second-busiest trading week of the year ... so supermarkets would normally be stocked up ready for a busy period.”

Professor Mortimer said seafood markets, which typically reported large trading days on Good Friday, could be affected.

“Obviously people will be adhering to the Premier’s call to stay at home and self-isolate and avoid going out as best as possible,” he said.

“So there will be decreased foot traffic going into those areas and seafood is highly perishable (and they do) a massive trade on Good Friday, but you can’t have lines.

“You may find they’ll cut the prices and push the seafood out ... if they feel crowds won’t be there.”

National Retail Association chief executive Dominique Lamb urged shoppers to be patient and purchase only what was needed, adding there was “no need to panic buy”.

“If shoppers hoard items they simply don’t need then we run the risk of vulnerable people such as the elderly or disabled being left without access to essential goods,” she said.

Empty meat shelves at New Farm Coles after a three-day snap COVID lockdown was announced for Brisbane. Pic taken Monday, March 29, 2021Credit: Cloe Read

“We don’t want this to be the case at any time, but certainly not during the Easter break.

“This lockdown demonstrates that retail is not out of the woods when it comes to recovering from the COVID recession and challenges remain for the foreseeable future.”

Woolworths Queensland general manager Chris Peters said the supermarket had continued access to stock from suppliers.