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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why are the supermarkets empty?

92 replies

TheColourofspring · 01/09/2023 16:42

I live in a big city on the south coast. In the last few days, I have been to Asda, coop and sainsburys- mainly because all 3 had big gaps on the shelves & I couldn’t get what I needed. Asda was the worst by far- hardly any basics in stock- empty gaps on the shelves- barely any veggie stuff. Etc. Not much bread - it was really weird. The other 2 supermarkets also had gaps. Also big reductions on choice- definitely the worst I have seen.

Is it summer? Back to school madness? The dreaded B word?

OP posts:
MintJulia · 01/09/2023 16:46

No idea but no problems in North Hampshire. Could it be there is a fine weekend due and people have stocked up on things for the last weekend of the summer holidays?

MrsRetriever · 01/09/2023 16:47

South coast tourists? I live in a dull Scottish town where it rains a lot & the supermarkets are fine as far as I can see.

Westendluvvie · 01/09/2023 16:47

Asda has been empty for a long time here, I wonder if they are going bust because the other supermarkets don't appear to have supply issues.

Original poster
TheColourofspring · 01/09/2023 16:49

@Westendluvvie it certainly had that feel about it. Not a lot of restocking going on.

Its definitely not tourists- it’s an out of town supermarket.

OP posts:
Redshoeblueshoe · 01/09/2023 16:49

No problems round here, in Aldi or Asda

Original poster
TheColourofspring · 01/09/2023 16:50

It’s a lack of choice thing too- lots of nice products gone- just basic stuff.

OP posts:
PurpleBananaSmoothie · 01/09/2023 16:51

The only problem round here is that Tesco have moved everything around and now it takes me about 5 minutes to find what I need. The only empty shelves are the ones they’re renovating.

Seashellies · 01/09/2023 16:52

I haven't been to asda in years so not sure on that one, but supermarkets here are fine, haven't noticed any gaps! Probably as it's back to school, pay day and high levels of annual leave at this time of year creating a perfect storm in some areas?

YouHoooo · 01/09/2023 16:54

No issues in West London!

MsFogi · 01/09/2023 16:55

Same issues in SE London - I put it down to Brexit

Original poster
TheColourofspring · 01/09/2023 16:56

@Seashellies yea maybe. I have felt for a while that Asda was really reducing choice & today was shocking. Such low stock! No rice for example & barely any bread just weird!

OP posts:
PollyThePixie · 01/09/2023 16:57

During a recent visit to the UK I was very disappointed by the lack of stock in the supermarkets. Even in our local Tesco there were empty shelves and it was the same for the 5 weeks my family were there. And it all just seemed so drab and tired. I usually come home with lots of supermarket shopping but this time round it was very poor pickings.

quantumbutterfly · 01/09/2023 16:57

Poor supply chain management?

Americano75 · 01/09/2023 16:57

I live right next to an Asda and don't use it anywhere near as much as I used to. Very rarely get everything on my list, and ironically spend half my time trying to get past staff blocking the shelves to get what I need.

Sunsnet · 01/09/2023 16:58

Brexit is a massive factor and the cost of living, supermarkets don't want so much wastage as then they'd have to put the prices up again and people don't have the money to waste food like they used to!

quantumbutterfly · 01/09/2023 16:59

Less food wastage is a very good thing.

cherryassam · 01/09/2023 17:00

All supermarkets fine here - been in a Lidl, M&S, Sainsburys and Booths over the last week and all had the usual levels of stock.

Badleg89 · 01/09/2023 17:00

No such issues in northumberland

yogasaurus · 01/09/2023 17:01

No issues here in south east/London border

Vates · 01/09/2023 17:02

My local Asda have recently moved everything around and started stocking Christmas stuff. It was bizarre that they had an aisle of sweets/chocolate and then randomly the selection of tinned tomatoes and tomato puree in the same aisle. They still have all the basics available though at my local store.

Basilsage · 01/09/2023 17:03

Morrisons don't have many people when I go S London

Needmorelego · 01/09/2023 17:05

They will be shifting stuff around and making space for the "seasonal" stock (aka Christmas 😕).

HaveANiceFuckingDay · 01/09/2023 17:05

yogasaurus · 01/09/2023 17:01

No issues here in south east/London border

Same area no issues either and I've been to tesco , aldi. Lidl and iceland this past week

AutumnCrow · 01/09/2023 17:08

quantumbutterfly · 01/09/2023 16:57

Poor supply chain management?

I think so, in individual stores sometimes.

For instance, in Asda#1 in my area they are a shambles, and in Asda#2 a couple of miles away they have everything.

I prefer Asda#2 because it's closer and I know and like the staff, and quite a few of them say that the manager is a disorganised yet arrogant man who gives out the staff rotas to working mothers a week before - and then changes them 24 hours before they actually come into effect. Nightmare for them. So they don't get paid, don't turn up, don't put stock on shelves, etc etc. Meanwhile twat manager shows on paper he keeps his staff costs low.

People still shop there because it's city centre with low car ownership and needs must.

MissDollyMix · 01/09/2023 17:12

It’ll be all the shop lifting!

Not actually sure what’s going on. Our local Tesco is still well-stocked but I popped in yesterday and I’ve never seen it so busy! The car park was full- I ended up having to park around the back. The only time I’ve ever had to do that before is on Christmas Eve. Is there a reason that I’m not aware of for this run on the supermarkets?!