Supermarket workers target of abuse

RETAILERS have reported a rise in abuse of staff amid coronavirus panic-buying, despite supermarkets calling for calm from shoppers.

It comes after a chaotic weekend for retailers, which saw their shelves emptied of essential items such as toilet rolls, cleaning products, dried pasta and tinned food, after the virus outbreak was classified as a pandemic.

Supermarket websites and online grocers including Ocado are also suffering from huge surges in orders, with some key items being rationed per customer.

Chief executives are in discussions with the Government about limiting products to ensure key lines remain in stock, although the prevailing view is that supply chains are holding up.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said staff have been the victims of abuse in recent days, but retailers are working with the police to keep stores “running as smoothly as possible”.

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the BRC, said: “Even when circumstances are difficult, retailers are well versed in providing effective security measures.”

On Sunday, the UK’s largest supermarkets wrote to customers calling on them to be “considerate” and stop stockpiling, amid frantic scenes in stores.

Panic-buying by customers has resulted in some supermarkets rationing sales of certain products in a bid to ensure supply is available to more shoppers.

Yesterday, Morrisons told shoppers it is increasing the amount of food it makes at manufacturing sites, increasing the volume of