The UK’s major supermarkets have come together in an unprecedented move to plead with customers not to panic buy over coronavirus and leave others without.
The British Retail Consortium gathered the retailers together for a joint letter, which was released on Sunday 15 March. Signatories include Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Co-op, Waitrose, M&S, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland, Cost Cutter, and Ocado.
The letter reads:
To our customers,
We know that many of you are worried about the spread of Corona virus (COVID-19). We want to let you know that we are doing everything we can, so that you and your families have the food and essentials you need.
We are working closely with the government and our suppliers to keep food, moving quickly through the system, and making more deliveries to our stores to ensure our shelves are stocked. Those of us with online delivery and click and collect services are running them at full capacity to help you get the products you need, when you need them.
We thank all our colleagues in stores and supply chains who are working day and night to keep the nation fed.
But we need your help too.
We would ask everyone to be considerate in the way they shop. We understand your concerns but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without. There is enough for everyone if we all work together.
Together, we can make sure we are looking out for family, friends, neighbors. Together, we will care for those around us, and those who are elderly, vulnerable or choosing to remain at home.
We are doing all we can to rise to this challenge. Serving you and keeping you and everyone who works with us safe will always will always be our priority.
