ELDERLY and vulnerable housebound customers could face up to six-week waits for essential groceries after supermarket websites announced they are overwhelmed with online demand.
Supermarkets have warned that they cannot “feed the nation” online as shelves in stores were stripped of essentials and delivery slots are booked out for weeks.
This has come at a particularly bad time as the government today advised that the over 70s, those who are pregnant, and anyone with underlying health conditions (around 20million Brits) and those fighting cancer (around 1.4million of us) should immediately self isolate at home if they can.
This will continue for the “long haul” – likely weeks or months.
Industry leaders have said that even if the UK’s delivery capacity was doubled there would “never [be] enough” to keep isolating Brits fed and healthy.
They are urging communities and family members to step up and help those around them who are in need.
A senior industry source said: “We’re confident we’ll have enough supplies, but getting them to the right people is an entirely different matter.
“Online delivery accounts for about seven per cent of our business.
“Even if you doubled to 14, there’s still a huge gap.
“The reality is that neighbours and community groups will have to step in to deliver food. There’s no other way of doing it.”
Community matters
Shoppers who are physically able to shop are being urged by UK retailers not to take up valuable delivery slots by choosing to shop online.
In a joint letter on Sunday, UK retailers asked customers to be considerate with their shopping, so others were not left without.
Supermarkets admitted unprecedented demand had led to rationing of certain products, stock problems and delays, while the online supermarket Ocado began cancelling orders.
Elisabeth Bennett, a wheelchairbound carer for her 95-year-old father, discovered yesterday that her next Sainsbury’s order would arrive mid-April at the earliest.
She said: “We are told not to stockpile, that there will be more supplies, then they cut us out.”
“Normally, you can get a slot the next day, so three weeks or more is a huge problem.”
What are supermarkets doing to help vulnerable customers?
Retail leaders held a conference call with Environment Secretary George Eustice, yesterday to discuss emergency measures to keep supplies flowing.
Last week, supermarkets were allowed to relax trading laws so warehouse deliveries could be made at night to speed up supply.
Industry leaders were also asking for competition laws to be relaxed to allow retailers to share resources and work together.
From March 18, many Nationwide Building Society branches across the UK will open an hour earlier, from 8am.
Lidl announced dedicated shopping hours for older and vulnerable customers, with all stores launching prioritised queuing and assistance for shoppers from 9 to 11 am every day.
Iceland also said stores would open an hour early to allow older shoppers to buy food.
Supermarkets are understood to be working on plans to streamline operations to enable a depleted workforce to maintain basic provisions.
Options could include temporarily closing instore cafés and fresh food counters.
Mr Eustice said: “I want to extend my thanks to their staff – both those behind the scenes and in stores – for working tirelessly to ensure people have the food and supplies they need.
“I know retailers are working around the clock to keep shelves stocked and stores replenished.
“I also want to echo their calls for people to be considerate in the way they shop and treat staff in stores.
“There is plenty of stock available, but if people buy more than they need others will be left without.
“It’s important we all look out for our family, friends and neighbours during this difficult time.”
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