Limits placed on essential items to prevent coronavirus stockpiling

In a move to prevent stockpiling, Sainsbury’s have promised to prioritise the elderly and vulnerable for online deliveries, in addition to limiting people from buying more than three of any item.

Mick Coupe, the supermarket’s boss, has said that they are “trying to make sure everyone has access to the items they need."

He continued, that the supermarket was: "focusing all of our efforts on getting as much food and other essential items from our suppliers, into our warehouses and onto shelves as we possibly can.

"We still have enough food for everyone - if we all just buy what we need for us and our families."

The decision follows supermarkets such as Aldi and Morrisons who have also taken measures to prevent stockpiling.

The former has limited customers from purchasing more than four of any given product, while the latter is extending its online delivery platform.

Tesco has limited customers on particular products, including pasta, hand sanitiser and tissues. Boots have done the same.

Sebastian James, the chief executive of Boots has noted that the issue at present is not supply, but demand.

He said: "No supply chain can survive a sudden, unexpected global ten-fold increase in demand. And what we thought was incredibly important was that as many people as possible could get what they actually needed.”

Sainsbury’s have put a limit of two per person on items which are particularly popular and will give priority appointments to customers who are disabled or over the age of 70 from next week.

Tomorrow will see the supermarket trial the first hour of shopping dedicated to the elderly and vulnerable in their 600 stores across the country.

A spokesperson said that the supermarket would continue to operate "in line with government guidance".