Woolworths introduces product limits on toilet paper and painkillers

Woolworths has announced they are introducing customer limits on painkillers and toilet paper after reports of widespread shortages around Australia due the ongoing supply chain crisis.

The supermarket giant confirmed in a statement on Thursday afternoon they were placing limits on the products as a ‘precautionary move’, after images of empty shelves flooded social media. 

Customers will be restricted to two packs of painkillers or toilet paper in one purchase.

The company refused to rule out limiting other items in the future and said they would continue to monitor stock levels.

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Woolworths have announced they are introducing customer limits on painkillers and toilet paper after reports of widespread shortages around Australia

‘We understand this is an anxious time for our customers around the country but we will remain open and operational as an essential service,’ Director of Stores Jeanette Fenske said in a statement.  

‘We encourage everyone to be mindful of others in the community and to continue shopping in reasonable quantities.’ 

Woolworths also confirmed Western Australia supermarkets will have a two-pack limit on mince meat, sausages and chicken products after ‘excessive buying’.

The company has had limits on rapid antigen tests since stock arrived late last year, with people only allowed to buy one pack at a time.

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The supermarket giant confirmed on Thursday afternoon they were placing limits on the products as a ‘precautionary move’, after images of empty shelves flooded social media

High rates of workers are currently isolating due to Covid infections or having been deemed close and household contacts, which is causing severe delays in supply chain systems throughout the country.

Shoppers have posted hundreds of images of empty shelves at both Woolworths and Coles as the chains are hit hard by the ongoing pandemic. 

‘We would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding, and ask them to continue to show kindess to our teams who are doing everything they can to support them during this challenging time,’ Ms Fenske said. 

Meanwhile Coles announced they will have enough rapid antigen tests for everyone in the next ‘few’ weeks as Australia’s Covid-19 crisis worsens.

Chief executive Steven Cain says the supermarket giant is delivering ‘millions’ of RATs to stores each week but like every other retailer, has struggled to keep up with overwhelming demand with more than 100,000 cases recorded on a daily basis.

‘Customer demand for Rapid Antigen Tests has ‘skyrocketed’ over the past two weeks,’ Mr Cain said in a note to customers on Wednesday. 

‘We’re delivering millions of tests each week to our stores and we’ve ordered more from our suppliers, but while demand remains at current levels we expect it will be a few weeks before there are enough tests for every customer who wants to buy them.’

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Supermarket giant Coles addressed the chronic shortage of rapid antigen tests in an email to customers

‘To help try to provide equal access for all our customers, we have introduced the limit of one pack per customer. For an update on availability, check the customer notice at the service desk when visiting your local store.’

RATs are currently unavailable to Coles customers shopping online.

The Coles website encourages customers to check product notices at the customer service desk as the supermarket continues to work hard to restocking RAT kits.

‘Please note that our call centres are currently experiencing a high volume of calls and are unable to advise on stock levels of rapid antigen tests in our stores,’ it states.

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Steven Cain (pictured) hope to have enough rapid antigen tests for every customer who wants to buy them in the next few weeks

The update comes after Coles introduced a series of temporary buying limits on certain products.

They include two packs of paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin while toilet paper is restricted to one pack per customers in a desperate effort to stop panic buying.

There’s also a buying limit on sausages and mince, along with chicken thighs and fillets. 

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