Can supermarkets start helping the vulnerable

[Letsdoanamechangeagain]

The panic buying doesnt seem to be subsiding. I really do think they need to start limiting certain products to 1 per customer instead of two.

Also, cant supermarkets keep a stash away of high demand products like toilet roll? Could they do this so elderly people can ask the staff and actually get some instead if having to travel to several different shops when they are a high risk group?

The thought that some elderly people are likely having to get several buses and go to several different shops just to get some essentials when it really not the best idea to be out and about at the moment is awful.

I know if they drive and still making choices and what they do and where they go, fine. But there must be people that are really struggling.

Food bank users too. Can the supermarkets put some essentials aside for food banks before it all gets taken each morning?

Supermarkets are not charities. Customers are also entirely capable of purchasing loo roll and food bank contributions.

Op I'm totally with you, Maurice you're all heart aren't you 🙄

Tesco and Ocado has stated to limit the number of items bought online. 2 tins of peas as a maximum, 1 lot of toilet roll etc.

Aldi are limiting items to 4 per customer already

With you all day long OP.

I agree. Felt so sorry for some of the older people in the supermarket this morning. One elderly gentleman looked utterly bewildered.

Maurice you're all heart aren't you 🙄

It's a business, Best, that needs to turn a profit to pay staff, keep the place clean, pay rent for the property occupied, by suppliers for the products that keep us all fed. Why is the onus on them to keep back a stash for 'elderly' in particular? There are all kinds of vulnerable subsets of the population.

It's not a foodbank. People are free to purchase their wares and donate them to a foodbank.

Some are rationing high-demand items, that's sensible.

Some of these people will be buying for elderly people. What age is elderly? What is the cut off point? What if a 75 year old is more able than a 50 year old?

Too much of a minefield keeping stuff in the back.

People who're buying 4+ packs of toilet roll may be buying for elderly/vulnerable family members. We've no way of telling.

How do we decide which customers are elderly or vulnerable enough to be allowed one of the supermarket stash?
How can it be policed?
Can you imagine the reaction if a minimum wage shop assistant gave an elderly woman a pack of toilet roll, but refused someone else because they're not old and don't look ill?
What if the the latter had absolutely no toilet paper left?

Those working in supermarkets at the moment have enough on their plate already.

I say minimum wage because they're being paid very little in relation to what they're having to deal with at the moment.

I saw a young man in Asda being berated by a very red-faced, angry man because there was no pasta in the shop.
As if the poor lad could've done anything about it - thankfully security got involved; but it really shouldn't be coming to that.

I was thinking this when I was in the supermarket yesterday, there was this old man shuffling down the aisle, and nothing on the shelves. What is he supposed to eat? He was moving so slowly that I’m sure he’s not able bodied enough to go round 2-3 different supermarkets looking for what he needs.