Here’s one way to prevent empty shelves...

IT’S an off the shelf way of coping with the supermarket supply crisis. Stores are disguising the fact they have run out of goods by filling empty shelves with random products.

One Co-op store came up with the idea of cramming empty fridges with plastic bottles of HP brown sauce and salad cream – which do not need to be chilled unless opened. Another Co-op in Hertfordshire loaded empty fruit and veg trays with bags of Quality Street, Celebrations and Dairy Milk chocolates. Meanwhile, an Asda in Gloucester decided to fill aisles with £3 gift sets of Lynx shower gel and body spray.

It comes as shoppers in Europe have been warned they could also face a Christmas marred by shortages and price rises.

Germany is suffering shortages of everything from bikes to food while France has warned goods coming by ship from Asia may not arrive in time for the festive season.

CHILLED FOOD Saucy: Co-op loads up fridges with HP and salad cream – which do not have to be kept cool

FRUIT AND VEG Five a day? Chocolates in fruit and veg boxes in Hertfordshire Co-op

TOILETRIES Lynx effect: Aisle is crammed with gift sets at Asda in Gloucester