British supermarkets have started to place limits on purchases of certain products, such as pasta from Tesco, to avoid seeing the shelves empty further due to consumer panic over the coronavirus.
Toilet paper, tins, antibacterial gel, many Britons have been rushing for a few days in stores or on the websites of major brands to stock up on everyday products.
This wave of purchases was fueled by the warning issued by the public health agency in the United Kingdom which recommended to the population of “make preparations“in the event that confinements lasting several weeks are necessary.
In the process, the scientific adviser to the British government, Patrick Vallance, wanted to be reassuring by believing that there was “absolutely no reason“for the public to panic.
Supermarket chains have, however, taken measures, such as the British number one Tesco, which has been limiting purchases to five products for pasta, antibacterial wipes, gels and long-life milk since this weekend.
Tesco is the only supermarket chain to have imposed food restrictions.
Others such as Waitrose have limited the online sale of certain wipes and soaps, while Asda, a Walmart subsidiary, only allows the purchase of two antibacterial gels in its stores and on the internet.
Last week, the British chain of pharmacies Boots had already limited, for fear of speculation, the purchases of hand sanitizer gel whose sales are soaring with the epidemic of new coronavirus.
Sales of hand sanitizer gel have more than tripled in recent weeks in the UK, and sales of liquid soap or household cleaning products have gained 7% and 10% respectively over the twelve weeks ended February 23, according to a study published last Tuesday by the firm specializing in distribution Kantar.
–
