Woolies and Coles reintroduce limits on certain products to stop panic buying in Qld

Woolies and Coles have reintroduced buying limits in Queensland on a range of products to try and stop the panic buying that’s been taking place.

Panic buying sparked by a snap three-day lockdown of Greater Brisbane has pushed supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths to reinstate purchase limits on a range of toiletries, essential items and frozen goods.

The new measures come as Brisbane residents swarmed supermarkets on Friday after the Palaszczuk Government put Greater Brisbane into a three-day lockdown from 6pm.

Car parks were jammed and long queues formed as supermarket shelves were stripped clean in panic buying reminiscent of crazy scenes during Brisbane’s first lockdown early last year.

Among the long list of items now limited to two per customer at both Woolworths and Coles are toilet rolls, paper towels and liquid soap.

Woolworths Supermarkets Director of Stores Rob Moffat said they had no choice but to act following the rush on certain items on Friday.

“We understand this is an anxious time for Brisbane residents, however we want to reassure our customers we will remain open as an essential service to support their food and grocery needs during the temporary lockdown,” he said.

“We have stock to draw on from our suppliers and distribution centres and it will continue to flow into stores in large volumes.

“We encourage everyone to continue shopping as they usually would and only buy what they need.”

Brisbane in lockdown. Panic buying strikes again.#brisbane #covid19 #panicbuying #lockdown #2021therewegoagain pic.twitter.com/5Eh50i2ZxA

— Alberto Roura 艾伯特 (@roura356a) January 8, 2021

He said Woolworths would monitor demand and look to remove the limits as soon as possible.

Anyone visiting a Woolworths store after 6pm on Friday, must wear a mask, he said.

“We ask our customers to follow all social distancing and hygiene measures while shopping in our stores,” he said.

Shoppers queue at Skygate Woolworths after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a three day lockdown. Picture David Clark

Coles said in a statement they needed to introduce a limit to manage the run on certain goods and, like Woolworths, their limits are for online as well as in-store.

“To help manage demand for key staple items, a two-pack per customer limit is now in place at all Coles supermarkets and Coles Express stores in Greater Brisbane, as well as Coles Online orders for all Queensland customers,” Coles said.

Patience was needed at Brisbane supermarkets on Friday as the metropolitan area was placed in a three-day lockdown. Picture: David Clark

Selected items that are limited to two per person at both Woolies and Coles:

– Toilet Rolls

– Paper Towels

– Tissues

– Liquid Soap

– Fresh and Long Life Milk

– Eggs

– Pasta

– Rice

– Flour

– Sugar

– Canned Vegetables

– Canned Fish

– Meat

– Mince

– Burgers

– Chicken Breasts and Thighs

– Pre-packaged Seafood

– Frozen Vegetables

– Frozen Chips