Coronavirus (COVID-19) Panic Buying?

[lovetravellingoz]

Indeed, I get the impression Aussies are too busy emptying supermarket shelves to go on holiday!
cheers skip

Not at the supermarkets I frequent. And at Costco, when don't shoppers here have full trollies?

I think it is more that hand sanitiser has a run on.

 

[juddles]

I may be wrong, but the recent spike in spending at supermarkets appears to be on long shelf-life essentials. None is actually eating any more than they were before, so this just translates to people building a bit of a stock. So in the end this wave of extra spending will be mirrored in a period of lesser spend as people use their stockpiles in the future. So I think that the current windfalls to supermarkets will be balanced in the future.

 

[Himeno]

I may be wrong, but the recent spike in spending at supermarkets appears to be on long shelf-life essentials. None is actually eating any more than they were before, so this just translates to people building a bit of a stock. So in the end this wave of extra spending will be mirrored in a period of lesser spend as people use their stockpiles in the future. So I think that the current windfalls to supermarkets will be balanced in the future.

The ~10 day increase on short life product sales (eg meat) meant there was nothing to mark down.
That has since been balanced out by pallet loads of stock being marked down once the panic buyers freezers were full.

Some posters have no idea what they are talking about whatsoever in anything regarding to retail and cry foul because Coles and Woolworths dare to make $1 more in sales then they would have without this pandemic, even though their costs have increased by more then the sales increases.
Woolworths head office is currently making plans about a possible partial or complete shut down of Big W and possibly Dan Murphy's and BWS should any lockdowns be stepped up another level.

Someone should think about what it means that Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Supabarn and IGA are being allowed to cooperate to a limited extent during the pandemic and that high level leadership in each group is having daily meetings with each other and government reps.

 

[Himeno]

Gee jakeseven7 you obviously not a Queenslander or Tasmanian.In both states I don't meet poker faced supermarket workers.I can always get a smile and some conversation with them.

I've been getting the impression that they don't even make an attempt and just see staff at the big majors as automations not worthy of talking to unless it is to make a demand.

 

[I love to travel]

@Himeno you are so right. People are missing the fact that government and the supermarket chains are working so closely together. There us a very good reason why the chains are agreeing to do it and why governments are allowing/mandating it.

 

[Denali]

Must admit, thought we would be in full lockdown, so surprised we're not.

Considering Coles and Woolies wanted to introduce electronic pricing on the shelves, so they could change prices during peak shopping hours, I'm extremely disappointed they have no regular specials anymore.

Specials BTW that are usually paid for by the supplier via POS rebates.

 

[Pushka]

Must admit, thought we would be in full lockdown, so surprised we're not.

Considering Coles and Woolies wanted to introduce electronic pricing on the shelves, so they could change prices during peak shopping hours, I'm extremely disappointed they have no regular specials anymore.

Specials BTW that are usually paid for by the supplier via POS rebates.

I think the issue was a sudden spike on fresh vegetables, of which there was abundant supply. The price for broccoli being around $16 a kilo but that has since come down so maybe it was just a trial.

I was expecting full lockdown too. I think the fact we went early and went hard, not as hard as NZ, but still as effective, meant that essential stores could stay open. And no hanging around in stores etc as there is no reason to do so anymore. But I'm so sick of cooking!

 

[jakeseven7]

Gee jakeseven7 you obviously not a Queenslander or Tasmanian.In both states I don't meet poker faced supermarket workers.I can always get a smile and some conversation with them.

Actually I do live in QLD, but yes in smaller towns generally everyone is more friendly. Our supermarkets are staffed by kids or uni students mostly hence the ‘get me out of here please’ looks in general and that was before corona lol

Some posters have no idea what they are talking about whatsoever in anything regarding to retail and cry foul because Coles and Woolworths dare to make $1 more in sales then they would have without this pandemic, even though their costs have increased by more

I work in retail and FMCG and supply these businesses so yes I do know the business and how they make a buck, so calm down, this is a civil debate.

Very very interesting insider information you just posted though about Woolworths supermarket margins actually DECREASING though during this time - I’m not convinced That will wash out to be the case over a 6/12 month period but like I said will see who is right when they publish their results.

Surprised you are allowed to share that fact...

I've been getting the impression that they don't even make an attempt and just see staff at the big majors as automations not worthy of talking to unless it is to make a demand.

I’m sure some people don’t even bother. I do, I like to see how things are going for them, whether their employers bothered paying them in full last week - usually have a joke about all the wage scandals etc

Considering Coles and Woolies wanted to introduce electronic pricing on the shelves, so they could change prices during peak shopping hours, I'm extremely disappointed they have no regular specials anymore.

The cost of rolling out e-pricing is astronomical, we did a project on it. Be thankful they don’t have it - ask the New Zealanders!

 

[Denali]

Did a small order for mum in law;

No bananas
No spring onions
No noodles
No ceramic cooktop cleaner
No truss tomatoes but fortunately swapped with other

Will try to find bananas for her during the week but doubled up on grapes so hopefully she's happy with that.

 

[Denali]

Our lawn guy is here, same time as mum in laws Coles order and he mentioned theyre having issues finding toilet paper. He works all day and wife doesnt want to take the kids shopping so he said hes still having issues buying TP.

We've been giving away the Bunnings toilet paper hubby bought by mistake (not a roll, its square toilet tissues for commercial businesses) so gave him a full bag, about 16 rolls equivalent.

 

[pauly7]

Our lawn guy is here, same time as mum in laws Coles order and he mentioned theyre having issues finding toilet paper. He works all day and wife doesnt want to take the kids shopping so he said hes still having issues buying TP.

We've been giving away the Bunnings toilet paper hubby bought by mistake (not a roll, its square toilet tissues for commercial businesses) so gave him a full bag, about 16 rolls equivalent.

It’s interesting the difference in areas.

Our local area has toilet paper everywhere, even in the major supermarkets and has been available for at least a couple of weeks. Our area wasn’t hit as hard by the hoarders though in the first place (we had a small issue with Fakebook advertising this....but we had it taken down).

 

[Flashback]

Must admit, thought we would be in full lockdown, so surprised we're not.

Considering Coles and Woolies wanted to introduce electronic pricing on the shelves, so they could change prices during peak shopping hours, I'm extremely disappointed they have no regular specials anymore.

Specials BTW that are usually paid for by the supplier via POS rebates.

Viva la France! Although I think I recall seeing e-pricing in Portugal as well. Maybe Spain, too.

I think the issue was a sudden spike on fresh vegetables, of which there was abundant supply. The price for broccoli being around $16 a kilo but that has since come down so maybe it was just a trial.

I was expecting full lockdown too. I think the fact we went early and went hard, not as hard as NZ, but still as effective, meant that essential stores could stay open. And no hanging around in stores etc as there is no reason to do so anymore. But I'm so sick of cooking!

We've gone the opposite, we normally order takeaway once or twice a fortnight and we haven't ordered at all since early March. Not for COVID-19 reasons like some are, but just more so a case of trying out some new recipes etc.

It’s interesting the difference in areas.

Our local area has toilet paper everywhere, even in the major supermarkets and has been available for at least a couple of weeks. Our area wasn’t hit as hard by the hoarders though in the first place (we had a small issue with Fakebook advertising this....but we had it taken down).

Think we're lucky around here, with a 1 mile radius we have the choice of about 14 supermarkets; as I mentioned the other day stock levels are approaching normality again apart from the odd thing here and there. Pasta, TP, flour etc. is OK but just not brown flour.

 

[Archphoto]

Haven't had flour or yeast in Adelaide in any supermarket for weeks.

Not to mention TP - tried all 5 supermarkets in the local area, zip, zero, zilch. And no better on the eastern side of Adelaide last Sunday (had to pick up some stuff for a friend in mandatory travel isolation).

Of course, the who tried to sell back 5,400 rolls to his local (western suburbs) supermarket last week is the perfect example of why there's no stock. Even my folks are having problems - they go shopping in their designated "Vulnerable Shop" and neither of the supermarkets at their local shopping mall has any either; they've even headed out at other times too with no luck whatsoever.

 

[VPS]

Not to mention TP - tried all 5 supermarkets in the local area, zip, zero, zilch. And no better on the eastern side of Adelaide last Sunday (had to pick up some stuff for a friend in mandatory travel isolation).

Of course, the who tried to sell back 5,400 rolls to his local (western suburbs) supermarket last week is the perfect example of why there's no stock. Even my folks are having problems - they go shopping in their designated "Vulnerable Shop" and neither of the supermarkets at their local shopping mall has any either; they've even headed out at other times too with no luck whatsoever.

That guy that tried to see his 5,400 rolls of toilet paper needs to be name and shamed. What an absolute w@nker

 

[Pushka]

Not to mention TP - tried all 5 supermarkets in the local area, zip, zero, zilch. And no better on the eastern side of Adelaide last Sunday (had to pick up some stuff for a friend in mandatory travel isolation).

Of course, the who tried to sell back 5,400 rolls to his local (western suburbs) supermarket last week is the perfect example of why there's no stock. Even my folks are having problems - they go shopping in their designated "Vulnerable Shop" and neither of the supermarkets at their local shopping mall has any either; they've even headed out at other times too with no luck whatsoever.

Are you desperate? I have a couple rolls I could post.

 

[Archphoto]

Are you desperate? I have a couple rolls I could post.

Oh thanks so much, Pushka.
I'm not at the desperate stage just yet, but I may have to touch base if it all goes pear-shaped in the next two weeks.

 

[Flashback]

Ok, I lied, panic buying isn't over here... All the Brits are still clearing the shelves


The old Bill is always watching...

 

[boomy]

Must admit, thought we would be in full lockdown, so surprised we're not.

Thanks to a sane Gov that acted rationally, with no panic.

 

[Denali]

I was reading this morning that hair dye is the current panic buy.

 

[pauly7]

I was reading this morning that hair dye is the current panic buy.

Brown and darks should get through ok but can’t wait to see all the people trying to maintain their blonde from a box

In seriousness though, Almost no box colour is made in Australia and has been a declining category for years and years, so stock on hand will be light.

Some also can’t be air freighted for obvious reasons. So if people want some better grab it now. Try your pharmac_ - will have more stock and colour range than the supermarkets.

 

[Deleted member]

I hear Costco in the US is warning customers that toilet paper returns will not be permitted.