UK’s biggest grocers ask their shoppers to stop stockpiling

Bloomberg

British food retailers have written a joint letter to their customers asking them to “buy responsibly” in the wake of shoppers stockpiling over fears about the new coronavirus.
In an extraordinary development, 12 of Britain’s biggest grocers will publish advertisements in national newspapers on Sunday and Monday. Entitled “Working to Feed the Nation,” the letter reassures shoppers about steps being taken to ensure adequate supplies in stores and asks them to be considerate: “We understand your concerns but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without. There is enough for everyone if we all work together.”
The supermarkets behind the letter include the “Big Four” — Tesco, J Sainsbury, WM Morrison and Asda — as well as the discounters Aldi and Lidl. Other retailers that have signed up include Marks & Spencer, online grocer Ocado and Waitrose.
The spread of the coronavirus across Europe, which is now the epicenter of the pandemic according to the WHO, has fuelled the urge to stockpile. Tesco, Britain’s largest grocer, has already had to move to restrict sales of antibacterial products, dried pasta, long-life milk, children’s medicines, water and tinned vegetables to five items a person in stores.
Other grocers have restrictions in place too.