Empty shelves in supermarkets

[EmptshelvesUK]

I must admit I’ve not really been out much these past couple of years due to health reasons but have in the last month been to several different supermarkets.

what’s the reason behind the cardboard advertising boxes where items should be on the shelves in Sainsburys and why in Asda are some areas of the store just empty of food, the biscuit (8 in a packet type snack bars) just empty, nothing, last two weeks exactly the same.

Is it delivery driver issues, or can they not get these products? Or the war in Ukraine etc etc, or is this all part of the Covid pandemic.

We’re in Somerset, a few empty spaces in supermarkets here but not major. Gaps in breakfast cereals but still most brand’s options available, fe.

Today in Tesco I was not surprised to see gaps in the ice-cream sections of the freezers. They still had some though.

No issues at all here, either in stores or when I online shop.

Bloody hell, what's happened to all the cheddar cheese? Absolutely none in Tesco for two weeks in a row now. Hopefully just Tesco though.

Supermarkets operate a "just in time" strategy for filling their shelves which is vulnerable to any kind of logistical hiccup such as extreme weather, Russian invasions, pandemics, driver shortages, document checks at EU border that take three days because Brexit and oh look now all those Moroccan strawberries are mouldy, staff shortages (see also: Brexit, pandemics).

www.investopedia.com/terms/j/jit.asp

They'll be having another Mexican stand off with Arla. Tesco's have form for this kind of thing with manufacturers and farmers trying to manipulate farmers market auctions.

Not noticed a cheese shortage. Waitrose has loads, as do Morrisons and Aldi.

Our local Lidl hasnt had any crisps or laundry stuff for months now of their own brand stuff only the branded stuff

I’ve just become accustomed to seeing empty shelves now. My local M&S food hall had all its freezers and half the fridges fail in the heat at the weekend which didn’t help. Plus most of the salad and veg was either on the edge of going off or sold out.

Bare shelves don’t worry me quite as much as the never ending price increases...

Tesco had an issue with Heinz recently so that figures. Interesting.

Glad to hear other supermarkets have cheese😊

My local garage had hardly any food in last night. Saturday and Monday deliveries both cancelled. It's not a full shop kind of place but handy for picking up bits.

Popped into Sainsbury’s this morning, didn’t see any gaps but I didn’t go the bread/cereal isles so not sure if they’re full or not.

Weirdly Waitrose is coming out cheaper for me than Morrisons (and I trust their meat welfare standards).

loads of empty shelves here. Not a problem for us as we can be flexible about meal choices / brands and make do with whatever is available, but for those with restricted diets I can imagine this will only get worse over the coming months.

Where is here? Are you talking about one particular supermarket?

I just looked online at superdrug and there are loads of stick deoderants on there. Free delivery too over £15

West Yorkshire, we have certain items that have suddenly just become extinct, but local supermarkets have filled shelves with similar items or substitutes.

It's really not. Germany is fine. In the lead up to their Reunification celebrations a German travel agent was advertising UK holidays to those nostalgic for the empty shelves common in East Germany.🙃

Thank you @AnchorWHAT . My local Superdrug closed down a few months ago - I miss it dearly. I will probably end up ordering £15 worth of stick deodorant online and yet more make up that I don't need

😂 have a good browse, they often do some very good deals and their own brand skincare is pretty good too.

I popped to Morrisons today and there was quite a lot of gaps on the shelf and no bottles of water.

Bottled water is the new loo roll

I'm not buying bottled water while there's still gin and tonic to be had!

Well we're short of Co2 worldwide again so your tonic might be a problem 😂😂

Bugger, I might have to stick orange juice in it then. It'll be a sacrifice but what can you do - needs must!

Asda (superstore) in Kent was very low on washing powder today, only a few boxes of Persil and Surf, no own brand. Last week bread was sparse, only premium loaves available. There seems to a general shortage of own brand products. Staff member said it was due to delivery problems.