Tesco and Morrisons reinstate rationing as stockpiling concerns mount

Tesco followed Morrisons, which earlier introduced a purchase limit of three items per customer on toilet rolls, hand sanitiser, soap, bleach and other cleaning products.

Tesco is limiting purchases of similar goods such as flour, dried pasta, toilet paper, baby wipes, anti-bacterial wipes. The grocer is also restricting online purchases of items such as rice. 

Tesco sought to reassure consumers and said: “We have good availability, with plenty of stock to go round, and we would encourage our customers to shop as normal.” 

A Morrisons spokesman said yesterday: “We’ve got decent stock levels, but we want to be sure that they are available for everyone.”

The limits are reminiscent of the restrictions all of the major grocers introduced back in March during the height of the pandemic.

Purchases of many grocery staples, including eggs and pasta, were also limited as supermarket chains sought to preserve availability.

Earlier this week Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis and Aldi UK boss Giles Hurley both urged customers not to panic buy, following new government restrictions encouraging people to work from home if they can. 

Lewis told Sky News: “I think the UK saw how well the food industry managed last time, so there are very good supplies of food.

“We just don’t want to see a return to unnecessary panic buying because that creates a tension in the supply chain that’s not necessary.

“Therefore we would just encourage customers to continue to buy as normal.”

Hurley said in a letter to Aldi customers: “There is no need to buy more than you usually would. I would like to reassure you that our stores remain fully stocked and ask that you continue to shop considerately.”