British Retail Consortium appeals for calm after Aylesbury supermarkets 'stripped bare' after panic buying

The British Retail Consortium has appealed for calm after Aylesbury supermarkets were ‘stripped bare’ after panic buying.
Pain relief shelves at Broadfields TescoPain relief shelves at Broadfields Tesco
Pain relief shelves at Broadfields Tesco

Distasteful scenes in Aylesbury saw shoppers stockpiling household items such as toilet paper and paracetomol, as well as non-perishable foods such as pasta, baked beans and soups.

Over the weekend there were queues to get into local stores, as shoppers raced to get as much food and supplies as possible for themselves.

The scenes have been echoed around the country, and in an open letter to the British public, the retail consortium has appealed for buyers to ‘be considerate’ and to ‘think about others’ when shopping this week.

Queues outside Lidl on Broadfields this weekendQueues outside Lidl on Broadfields this weekend
Queues outside Lidl on Broadfields this weekend

We have been inundated with pictures of bare shopping shelves and queues outside supermarkets this week, by panicked residents.

The Bucks Herald is today calling for calm among shoppers and to only buy what they need - so vulnerable residents such as the elderly can also get what they need and not be dangerously left without.

The BRS said that they were working closely with the Government and suppliers to keep food and supplies moving quickly through the supermarkets.

However, they also appealed for the public to ‘do their bit’ and to help out where they could.

Painkillers at Aylesbury PoundlandPainkillers at Aylesbury Poundland
Painkillers at Aylesbury Poundland

They said: “We would ask everyone to be considerate in the way they shop.

“We understand your concerns but buying more than is needed can sometimes others are left without.

“There is enough for everyone if we all work together.

“Together we will all care for those around us and those who are elderly, vulnerable or choosing to remain at home.

Tinned food seems to be in popular demandTinned food seems to be in popular demand
Tinned food seems to be in popular demand

“We agree doing all we can to rise to this challenge.

“Serving you and keeping you and everyone who works with us safe will always be our priority.”

The British Retail Consortium represents Sainsbury’s, Co-Op, Lidl, Tesco, Aldi, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Asda, Iceland, Morrisons, Ocado and Costcutter.

Speaking on behalf of retailers, Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said: “In the face of unprecedented demand as a result of coronavirus, food retailers have come together to ask their customers to support each other to make sure everyone can get access to the products they need.”