What are our major supermarkets doing to keep up with demand during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia?
Coles and Woolworths have created new policies to ensure household supplies for all Australians. The ongoing concerns around Covid-19 have created panic amongst shoppers who have stripped shelves of basic household staples.
Coles and Woolworths have responded by introducing new measures including limits on certain food and other household items to ensure that there is enough supply for all. Please note the current situation changes constantly so please check with you local supermarket directly for updates.
Coles Purchase Limits
One pack per person:
- Toilet paper
Two items per person:
- Pasta
- Flour
- Dry rice
- Paper towels
- Paper tissues
- Hand sanitisers
- Mince meat – includes Beef, Pork, Lamb, Chicken & Turkey
- Eggs
- Chilled pasta
- Frozen vegetables
- Frozen desserts
Coles will also be introducing some additional limits on certain items in each store. These can vary between stores, so please visit your local Coles for more information.
Change-of-mind Refund Policy
Coles has also temporarily suspended the change-of-mind refund policy to discourage over-purchasing. Shoppers who have purchase additional items are encouraged to donate them to Foodbank.
Home Delivery and Click&Collect
Coles vans are delivering groceries only to those in genuine need, especially the most vulnerable and those isolated. Home delivery orders for other valued customers will be temporarily suspended.
Coles Community Hour
From Wednesday 18 March 2020, Coles supermarkets will launch a dedicated “Community Hour” in all supermarkets to improve access to essential groceries for the elderly and disadvantaged, during this time of unprecedented demand.
Open Times: Weekdays | 7am to 8am
If elderly or vulnerable people are unable to get to a supermarket to buy essential items, they can also log on to Foodbank’s website. Foodbank provides food relief for 2500 agencies across Australia with deliveries of items such as toilet paper, tissues and pantry staples to people in need.
VISIT THE COLES WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Woolworths Policy Changes
Dedicated shopping hour for the elderly and people with a disability*
To help support the shopping needs of the elderly and people with a disability in our community, Woolworths have introduced this temporary measure to help them obtain the essential items they need most in a less crowded environment. Woolworths will review the dedicated shopping hour rules on Friday.
Open Times: Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 March 2020 | 7am to 8am
Revised regular store opening hours
Store trading hours have been changed to allow staff to restock shelves. Opening times: Weekdays – 8am to 8pm from Wednesday 18 March until further notice. For weekend hours please visit woolworths.com.au/shop/storelocator
Delivery Now and Pick up temporarily paused
‘Pick up’ and ‘Delivery Now’ (on-demand, in under 2-hour delivery service) services paused due to temporary shortages on a number of items and to allow teams to focus on serving customers in-store.
Woolworths current quantity limits per shop
One pack per person:
- Paper towel, serviettes and wipes – 1 pack limit per shop
- Toilet paper – 1 pack limit per shop
- Bulk rice (2kg+) – 1 pack limit per shop.
2 pack limit per shop:
- *New* Dry Pasta – 2 pack limit per shop
- *New* Flour – 2 pack limit per shop
- Tissues – 2 pack limit per shop
- Hand sanitiser – 2 unit limit per shop
FIND OUT MORE ON THE WOOLWORTHS WEBSITE HERE
Important Points to Remember when Shopping
- Be patient and treat supermarket staff with respect – they are doing their best in extraordinary circumstances
- Neither Woolworths or Coles is running out of food and staff are working hard to restock shelves. There is enough for everyone if people shop as they would normally shop.
- Purchase only what you need and think of the vulnerable people in our community when you shop
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
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