Supermarkets shelves bare
Once again, shelves are empty, as supermarkets struggle with supply chains.
Supermarket shoppers are being greeted with empty shelves as local stores struggle to maintain stock.
The combination of supply chain issues and high numbers of staff off work – either testing positive or being a close contact – is responsible.
Transport and distribution services are being hit hard by Covid cases, with the Transport Workers union reporting at least a third of the country’s truck drivers are off work.
San Remo IGA said due to depleted staff numbers the store was closing earlier than normal and home deliveries had been put on hold.
Coles CEO Steven Cain said the supermarket chain was dealing with supply chain issues, as well as staff shortages.
“We’re asking customers to bear with us and be flexible for now by trying a different brand or product until we can get the entire range back into stores.”
Coles has introduced temporary limits of two packs per customer on in-demand products such as chicken breasts and thighs, mince and sausages.
He said demand for rapid antigen tests had “skyrocketed” and while millions of packs were being delivered to stores and extra supplies had been ordered, it was not keeping up with demand. A limit of one packet per customer has been introduced and the packs are not available online.
Woolworths’ Chief Executive Brad Banducci last week told the ABC that more than 20 per cent of distribution centre staff and more than 10 per cent of store workers were absent.
