Woolworths, Coles bring in strict new limits on purchases

Woolworths and Coles introduce strict two item limit on most packaged products, plead with customers to be reasonable.

Shopper Ian bought a 36 pack of loo rolls for his daughter. Picture: Remy Varga.

Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths have announced further restrictions to store items from Wednesday as a response to the coronavirus-driven epidemic of panic buying.

It comes as Scott Morrison pleaded with Australians to stop stockpiling groceries, amid weeks of over-shopping that have stripped many supermarket shelves bare.

“It is not us, it is not helpful and it has been one of the most disappointing things I have seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis,” the Prime Minister said.

“It’s ridiculous, it’s un-Australian, and it must stop.”

Even the meat counters were empty at this Melbourne Coles. Picture: John Ferguson.

Woolworths has introduced a two-item limit on most packaged products. The per customer and per shop restriction applies to many single item categories, regardless of brand.

Categories with no-limits include fresh fruit and vegetables, meat (excluding mince), fresh milk, deli, bakery, baby food, seafood, canned fish, drinks, yoghurts and wet dog and cat food. It applies to Woolworths supermarkets, Metro stores and online retailing.

The supermarket’s one-packet per person restriction is already in place for antibacterial wipes, baby wipes, paper towels, rice in packets of 2kg and above, serviettes and toilet paper.

“We ask customers to please respect these limits and only buy what they need to help as many Australians as possible access the products they need,” a spokesman said in a statement.

Empty shelves at Coles in Melbourne. Picture: John Ferguson

Coles has added chilled milk to its limits, restricting sales to two items per customer. On Tuesday, the supermarket announced a two-item restrictions on eggs, chilled pasta, frozen vegetables and frozen dessert.

Two-item limits are already in place for mince meat, flour, dry rice, paper towels, paper tissues and hand sanitisers. One-packet per person limit is still in place for toilet paper.

The country’s major supermarkets banded together on Wednesday in a plea to public to consider others and stop abusing staff.

Supermarkets banded together to plead with customers to show consideration in their buying.

The newspaper advertisements across the country came after more footage emerged online of customers verbally attacking retail staff because they couldn’t find the goods they wanted in-store.

Aldi, Coles, IGA and Woolworth said they were doing everything they could to re-stock store shelves.

“So we ask you to please be considerate in the way you shop,” the ad says.

“We understand your concerns, but if you buy only what you need and stick to the product limits it helps everyone, especially the elderly and people with disability.”

“No one working or shopping in any of our stores should experience abusive or aggressive behaviour.”

Both Woolworths and Coles have implemented dedicated shopping hours for disadvantaged customers, including the elderly, customers with a disability and Health Care Card holders.

On Tuesday, Woolworths faced criticism after shoppers were met with bare shelves at some of its stores during its first restricted shopping hour. Its managing director said the supermarket chain was working to restock shelves.

The Industry Minister said there was no supply issue for groceries in the country, despite a restocking problem.