Don't panic

[AtW]

"Supermarkets are seeking to reassure shoppers that there is no need to bulk-buy products as new lockdown restrictions come into force.

Asda asked its customers to "continue to shop considerately and not buy more than they normally would."

There was a surge in online grocery shopping after new lockdown restrictions were announced on Monday, but demand has since dropped back.

Stores said they have good availability and have increased delivery slots.

Tesco and Sainsbury's have doubled the number of delivery slots since March."

Shoppers told not to buy more than normal - BBC News

[d000hg]

Right cock-up from Tesco. We had booked a slot ages back and put a few random things in. On Monday night we went in and did it properly. On Tuesday we got an email saying all changes made on Monday night were lost due to "high use"... so a van turned up Tuesday with the equivalent of a pineapple, a loo brush and some champagne.

[ladymuck]

Right cock-up from Tesco. We had booked a slot ages back and put a few random things in. On Monday night we went in and did it properly. On Tuesday we got an email saying all changes made on Monday night were lost due to "high use"... so a van turned up Tuesday with the equivalent of a pineapple, a loo brush and some champagne.

That's hilarious (sorry)

[SimonMac]

Did the usual "big" shop over the weekend so only needed to top things up when lockdown was announced, thankfully it seems calmer heads had prevailed as it wasn't any busier than normal

[d000hg]

That's hilarious (sorry)

Don't worry, we thought so too despite it being a PITA.

[rootsnall]

A mate was telling me the other day that he couldn't book a container from China for love nor money at the moment. Not sure how true it is but I'd be buying stuff that comes in containers if I was hoarding. Plan B time !?

[PCTNN]

The more people are told to not panic and not over buy and the more people will panic and be savages.

[Hobosapien]

... so a van turned up Tuesday with the equivalent of a pineapple, a loo brush and some champagne.

That's a rather niche dinner party.

The more people are told to not panic and not over buy and the more people will panic and be savages.

Aye, the Barbra Streisand effect.

With the virility of the new virus strains (presuming the SA one is also here ) maybe the supermarkets should stop customers going inside. Click and collect or home delivery only, then ramp up that capacity and get more of those out of work actors/theatre staff doing the deliveries, by push bike if they want the exercise.

Would make it safer for their own staff, allow them to manage stock better (rationing of certain items if necessary) and fit in with the general 'no mingling indoors' rule, as surely supermarkets are not somehow more safe than other places being battered economically wise (including all those shops selling the same stuff supermarkets do alongside the food) for having indoor customers.

Other outlets like Screwfix have been using this approach in lockdown 1.