Retailers plead against stockpiling
SANDTON – Retailers urged customers to be considerate and not partake in panic buying during the Covid-19 virus outbreak.
Retail giants are appealing to customers to only buy what they need amid the Covid-19 virus crisis.
This follows social media posts of customers in Bryanston and Sandton stocking up on non-perishable, cleaning and hygiene products. Kilometre-long queues snaked around a number of Makro, Pick n Pay and Woolworths stores.
“The gaps which are now evident on our shelves and those of other supermarkets are because of the unprecedented demand as a result of fear over the effect of the coronavirus,” said Pieter Engelbrecht, CEO of Shoprite Group.
Dis-Chem, Pick n Pay, Massmart (owners of Makro and Game), Woolworths and Shoprite Group (owners of Shoprite and Checkers) assured customers that its respective warehouses do have stock.
Woolworth’s press office said, “We will continue to replenish our products regularly. We would like to assure our customers that we are working with our suppliers to ensure a consistent supply of our products so that everyone has access to the food and essentials they need.”
Massmart spokesperson Brian Leroni added, “We are very mindful that stockpiling hurts the most vulnerable consumers in our society who don’t have the discretionary income to make large purchases.”
Retailers such as Pick n Pay and Checkers have implemented quantity limitations on products that are in high demand. According to Dis-Chem group HR director Caryn Barker, the retailer will base limitations on the type of product and stock levels. “The Dis-Chem Group is committed to ensuring the availability of products in demand.”
Pick n Pay CEO Richard Brasher added that these limitations will allow the retailer to keep as many customers as possible in stock of particular essential items. “We are working hard together with our suppliers to ensure that we can meet the demand,” said Brasher.
Engelbrecht would like to appeal to customers to ‘think before they buy’ and only buy what they need so that others are not left without much-needed items. “If we all shop as we normally do, our stores will soon return to normal and there will not be empty shelves.
“We ask our customers to please help us to only buy what they need and not stockpile. Unfortunately rationing the sale of certain products will become necessary if consumers don’t adhere to this call.”
Each retailer has implemented additional measures to ensure the health and safety of customers that do visit the respective stores. Pick n Pay has implemented an elderly hour every Wednesday where the retailer will open an hour early to solely accommodate shoppers over the age of 65.
Customers wishing to shop at Makro will no longer be required to present a Makro card and Shoprite Group has completely upscaled its click-and-collect facilities.
Brasher added, “We have seen in other countries how coronavirus can disrupt people’s lives, and the President has warned us that the coming weeks will be challenging. I want to give you my personal guarantee that we will do everything we can.”
Engelbrecht concluded, “Only if we all work together will there be enough for everyone. As retailers, we are increasing deliveries to ensure that store shelves are well-stocked again.”
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