Hoarding is 'really not necessary,' supermarkets say

Hoarding is 'really not necessary,' supermarkets say
Credit: Daniel Ramirez (CC BY 2.0)

As photos of empty supermarket shelves circulate online and the government has announced measures to contain the further spread of the new coronavirus (Covid-19), people have started hoarding and panic buying.

Several supermarket chains emphasise that all stores have sufficient stock, as do the distribution centres. Hoarding and panic buying "really is not necessary," they have repeatedly stressed.

On Thursday, the Colruyt supermarket chain published a statement on its website, emphasising that "all Colruyt Group food stores (Colruyt Laagste Prijzen, OKay, Bio-Planet, Spar Colruyt Group and Cru) will remain open" and that the Group makes "it a top priority to ensure your food supply at all times," adding place orders via the online shopping service also remains possible.

Translation: "Am I doing something wrong? How many kilometres of toilet paper do you guys use per month?"

However, on Friday morning, photos and videos circulated on social networks of empty supermarket shelves, long lines at the entrance of a Colruyt in Antwerp, and many people buying carts full of toilet paper. On Twitter, the supermarket chain again asked its customers to remain calm.

Translation: "Dear customers, we ask you to remain calm. There is no need to rush to our stores. All Colruyt stores are and will remain open to you during normal opening hours. Also on Saturdays."

Translation: "There is sufficient stock and all our employees are constantly filling up the shelves. Because of the rush, this requires some extra time here and there. Thank you for your understanding. It is our absolute priority to be at your service, and we will continue to welcome you to our stores."

Supermarkets are currently selling between 15 and 20% more dry food and products with a longer shelf life, like rice, pasta, preserves, flour and coffee, than normal, according to trade association Comeos, reports Het Laatste Nieuws.

Several supermarkets have even started to take measures to combat hoarding. The Albert Heijn store in Zaventem, for example, no longer allows customers to buy the same article more than six times. In Brussels, the police of the South police zone had to intervene on Friday in a Colruyt in the Anderlecht municipality, following an argument between customers, reports De Standaard.

Also on Friday, the FPS Public Health reassured people that all stores will remain open on weekdays, and supermarkets and

Translation: "Can I still do groceries? Yes! All shops are open on weekdays, at weekends only food stores and pharmacies. The weekly market also remains open. On weekends, there will only be food stalls. Protect yourself, this way you protect the others!"

Maïthé Chini

The Brussels Times


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