Lewis cautioned that shortages in “sheer physical capacity” in their warehouses heading into the golden quarter would limit grocery retailers’ ability to stockpile products.

Tesco previously stockpiled goods in “long-life” categories, such as tinned products, rice and pasta, ahead of the UK’s original Brexit date on March 29, 2019.

But after failing to strike an exit deal with Brussels, outgoing prime minister Theresa May agreed to delay the UK’s departure from the EU until October 31.