Message from Sainsburys

[Changedmyname84]

Did anyone else get this? You will have seen that, due to the ongoing uncertainty around the full impact of Coronavirus, supermarkets have been much busier than usual and customers are choosing to stock up. I wanted to personally reassure you that we have more food and other essential items coming to us from manufacturers and into our warehouses and distribution centres. If we all shop just for the food that we and our families need, there will be enough for everyone. I also wanted to let you know that at Sainsbury's, we are working really hard to ensure this remains the case. Over the past two weeks we have:

Ordered more stock of essential items from our suppliers

Put more capacity into our warehouses and

Set limits on a small number of items, including some cleaning products, soap and pain relief. This is a precautionary measure - if everyone shops normally, there will be enough for everyone.
There are gaps on shelves because of increased demand, but we have new stock arriving regularly and we're doing our best to keep shelves stocked. Our store colleagues are working tirelessly and doing the best job they can.
Which brings me onto a request. Please think before you buy and only buy what you and your family need. If we all do this then we can make sure we have enough for everyone. And please help elderly and vulnerable friends, family and neighbours with their shopping if you can.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and to thank our colleagues who are all working incredibly hard to ensure we can continue to serve our customers well.
Best wishes

Mike

I wanted to share to help people stop panicking - about food and stockpiling anyway

I got this. Sad that I found it more reassuring and calming than anything I've heard Johnson say.

Unfortunately I don’t think people will listen :(
People are very selfish.

I’ve had an email this morning from them to tell be no hand wash or Dettol wipes will be included in my delivery today- so not that reassuring 😕

Also no paracetamol

I had family over this weekend and struggled to find any biscuits! Just to serve with tea!

Ridiculous! I didn’t go on the loo roll aisle but I do need some hand sanitiser - didn’t spot any. Also I wanted to do a fry up this morning and no sausages yesterday!

BBC is reporting that all the supermarkets sent what sounds like the same letter: Supermarkets ask shoppers to be 'considerate' and stop panic buying [[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51883440 see here]] (I got it too, as a Sainsbury’s customer).

Sorry, working link here

Yeah, got last bag of frozen peas, last box of potato waffles, in Tesco yesterday. Civilisation does seem to be coming to an end. Freezer full of sausages though!

Friend works for Sainsbury's and says the deliveries aren't even touching the sides as the demand is so rabid.

Hopefully people will start being more sensible.

Yes, but it made me want to scream “please ration food” because I doubt anyone will listen

We got it too, but I don’t thing DH has ever had an account or ordered anything from them.

I thought it was a bit rich seeing as their rationing policy was no more than 5 per customer! 5 is not rationing, they should have limited to 2.

I got it too. I hope they stick to their promise to limit quantities of goods, but agree that 2 rather than 5 would be better.

(Unless they think they'll be able to supply 5 of whatever per shopper of course . . . )

Sainsburys website isn’t loading this morning.....

The things I mentioned above were limited to 2 and still not available (not that I wanted more than 2 anyway)

I went to Sainsbury’s yesterday to buy a tin of condensed milk for a recipe and there was none. Who stockpiles condensed milk ?!?!??

On the other hand, DH spent much time back in the autumn mocking my Brexit stockpiling. He mocks no more given that our pasta dinner last night was courtesy of my pasta/rice/olive oil/tinned tomato Brexit cupboard.

I think it must be really area dependent. I did my normal weekly shop in Tesco on Friday and there were no stock issues at all. Admittedly, I didn't check for hand gel but I don't understand the obsession with it anyway.

Agree with the "rationing isn't 5 items per person" comment. My parents were both kids during World War Two so I grew up with stories of the war. Rations for an ADULT during World War Two are available at www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Rationing-in-World-War-Two/

Bacon & Ham 4 oz
Other meat value of 1 shilling and 2 pence (equivalent to 2 chops)
Butter 2 oz
Cheese 2 oz
Margarine 4 oz
Cooking fat 4 oz
Milk 3 pints
Sugar 8 oz
Preserves 1 lb every 2 months
Tea 2 oz
Eggs 1 fresh egg (plus allowance of dried egg)
Sweets 12 oz every 4 weeks

Those who could grow their own food, or come to some arrangement with their neighbours, were obviously a lot better off, and some things were in relatively plentiful supply - I swear it's why both of my parents loved potato dishes so much!

Yeah, I got this. I thought it was reassuring and sensible.

I've just read on my local FB page a post from someone who works in Sainsbury's. She asked her boss why they weren't limiting stock (like ALDI are now) & their response was they were having the best increase in trade (bit like pre Christmas on steroids) so they're reluctant to limit. So while we've got companies thinking like this, there's no chance in stopping stockpiling!

I agree about hand gel Benny.
One of my friends is head of catering at a local college and is very knowledgeable about hygiene. She doesn't understand why so many people need so much hand gel either.

Are there really that many people who don't have access to soap and water?

We need ration books. It's a war like situation and people need to be forced into think more about others more than they're used to.

That statement shows very clearly how the 'just in time' model doesn't work, in the sense that it isn't shockproof.

Because when all the stock comes through, it sit in the shelves and probably move considerably more slowly as the over 70s and the vulnerable reduce their trips out, including shopping. One of the reasons they can do that is by stocking up beforehand.

Having stuff back on the shelves next week is no good if you're in isolation then, and hoping to,do the early days without going out at all.

Some people prep over the long term. Others only when risk is imminent. Either way, it's a stockpile. Which people want as they do not want their household to be on the 'just in time' model, when there is a aspect of being told not to leave your house. You can't just pop out for more, and you might have to wait days/weeks for a delivery slot

Please at this time also spare a thought for staff members.
Two members of staff that I know of were abused and threatened in our store yesterday.
One over the lack of toilet paper and one of the limit of two packs of paracetamol.