Grocery crisis ‘worst ever’ in supermarkets
A RETAIL boss has warned that food shortages in Britain’s supermarkets are the worst he has ever experienced.
Steve Murrells (pictured), chief executive of the Co-operative Group, said the company had significantly reduced its range of some products, leaving less choice for customers.
He told The Times the disruption to supplies had been driven by ‘Brexit and issues caused by Covid’ and said the Co-op was retraining staff as lorry drivers to help fill vacant roles. ‘The shortages are at a worse level than at any time I have seen,’ Mr Murrells added.
Meanwhile, the boss of Iceland warned that food shortages could ‘cancel Christmas’.
Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, managing director Richard Walker said the driver shortfall had caused cancelled orders for products such as bread at about 100 Iceland stores and deliveries of soft drinks had fallen 50 per cent by volume. Fast food restaurants have also been struggling for stock. McDonald’s has run out of milkshakes and bottled drinks across its outlets while Subway said it was seeing ‘minor supply chain shortages’ of some fresh produce. Nando’s had to shut 50 restaurants last week because of reduced chicken supplies.
Road haulage bosses have said there was a shortfall of around 100,000 HGV drivers.