Morrisons brings back rationing to ward off panic buying but says stock levels are 'good'

The supermarkets and retail groups have been quick to stress they have not yet experienced shortages
The supermarket has introduced restrictions
REUTERS
Ellena Cruse24 September 2020

Morrisons has rationed some of its products to prevent customers from stockpiling over second wave fears.

Restrictions will be placed on items including toilet roll and disinfectant to maintain current supply levels.

Morrisons said current stock levels "are good", but it has brought in the measure to ensure goods continue to be "available for everyone"amid fears panic buying will restart.

A spokesman told the Standard said: "We are introducing a limit on a small number of key products, such as toilet roll and disinfectant.

"Our stock levels of these products are good but we want to ensure that they are available for everyone."

Supermarkets and retail groups have been quick to stress they have not yet experienced shortages.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) urged customers to be considerate of others and “shop as you normally would”.

Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis told Sky News the grocer has “very good supplies of food”.

He said: “We just don’t want to see a return to unnecessary panic buying because that creates a tension in the supply chain that’s not necessary. And therefore we would just encourage customers to continue to buy as normal.”

Other shops have also added to their coronavirus guidelines and Asda said it will introduce 1,000 new Covid-19 marshals on the doors of its supermarkets to ensure customers wear masks properly.