Shoppers report many supplies still unavailable
Shoppers are still reporting food shortages at supermarkets, despite assurances there is plenty of supply.
A senior couple, who wanted to avoid going into a supermarket, said they were having problems accessing Countdown’s online store this week.
When they were finally able to get on to the website there were no available delivery slots for days and much of what they wanted to buy was unavailable.
‘‘We chose the items we needed, then went to check out for the Greenlane [Auckland] branch, only to be informed that almost all the products we needed – milk, bread, yoghurt, meat, etc were out of stock.
‘‘We are considered in the priority group, so I am not sure how we will get food. We have no relatives in New Zealand, to shop for us. So we are really not sure what to do.’’
Another woman sent photographs from a supermarket in Porirua showing empty shelves. ‘‘It is the second time since lockdown began that I have been in to find this level of stock unavailable.’’
Yesterday, Countdown spokeswoman Kiri Hannifin said a technical issue with Countdown’s meat ordering system in the North Island over the weekend had been fixed. Meat was now on its way to stores everywhere and the supply chain was looking good. There were a few gaps on shelves around the country but staff were working to reorder and restock quickly, she said.
About 1000 Countdown staff were isolating in Auckland and Wellington because certain stores were locations of interest or because family members had been impacted, or there was no childcare available.
‘‘We’re managing this as best as we can. The safety of our team and customers is our top priority.’’
There was also pressure on its online service because of increased demand, and it was working to ensure slots were available for priority assistance customers or those who needed to stay home and isolate.
‘‘Anyone who can shop in-store should do so to help free up online shopping slots for other people who cannot go to supermarkets.’’
Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford said a wider range of goods should be made available online and allowing independent food retailers such as butchers and grocers to operate would take pressures off supermarkets.
‘‘It seems very strange that the Government is not allowing butchers, grocers and bakers to play their part in feeding the nation.’’
They should at least be allowed to do click-and-collect, he said, but if good hygiene and social distancing were followed there was no reason for them to be closed.