Current state of our shops

[Franky Four Fingers]

Firstly I realise we’re all in the same boat and we have to all do our bit, I’m fully behind anything in place to ensure that the elderly and vulnerable get the best opportunities to get the items they need, it goes without saying. There is however a massive failing for the vast number of working families which needs to be addressed. Most people work and so going to the shops beforehand is difficult especially now with the shops only being open at this time for the elderly etc. During the day the shops are being cleared of virtually everything, meats, breads, eggs, toilet rolls, cleaning products to mention a few. By the time most get home the pickings are small. Tomorrow I’m due to go the shops to purchase bread and milk and basics which I’ve been without all this week and I know that I’ll either be unlucky or will have my normal amount for a family of 4 for the week placed to a bear minimum which will likely last a day or so. This isn’t me panic buying or taking more than I need it’s the amount myself and other families need for a realistic week. There is something very wrong in my view and the current situation for the vast number of working families.

[RAFF]

There are now 2 types of bulk buyers. The selfish, scum ridden panic buyer and the normal person forced to buy in bulk because of the former. Sad state of affairs.


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[Christian]

Yeah, it’s a crap situation. I now think us lot who took advice and didn’t panic buy over the last two weeks will be washing our behinds in the shower and using water instead of milk whereas those who immediately bought 3-months supply of loo roll and stocked their freezers full of bread will be just fine.

It won’t get any better either. There will be plenty of people who now see the empty shelves and will start stocking up more than they need at any opportunity. Maybe we were the idiots for not realising that we are an individual in a population that is predominantly stupid and selfish and that if you don’t play by those rules you will lose based on sheer numbers.

I have found it interesting which products I buy that seem to be unpopular. Microwave rice is easy to get hold of despite it being a long-life item. Perhaps the masses associate it with China? I’ve also managed to buy avocados no problem.

[Kirk280]

I genuinely think we’ll see proper rationing soon. And that’s probably a good thing.

Civilisation is a thin veneer.

[deanlad]

I genuinely think we’ll see proper rationing soon. And that’s probably a good thing.

Civilisation is a thin veneer.

This. On both counts.

[Kingstepper]

Not too late to get some spuds planted.

Stocking up on compost ready for tomatoes in case garden centres/B&Q etc closed in a month. Worth getting anything needed for a summer of gardening in now.

[KavKav]

Not too late to get some spuds planted.

Stocking up on compost ready for tomatoes in case garden centres/B&Q etc closed in a month. Worth getting anything needed for a summer of gardening in now.

I have built myself a trough, a bloody big stout over-engineered timber trough and filled it with 20 large bags of John Innes (mixed) and have planted ‘Charlotte’ seed potatoes. Cost to date £310. Estimated amortised production cost of each ultimately recovered spud? I reckon about 12p. Yes, I know how cheap a big bag of Charlotte spuds is in the shop but I don’t care as this whole exercise has been and is very satisfying and very therapeutic and when the zombies, the three horsemen and other roaming undesirables miscellaneous hove into view, providing I can escape/eliminate them I will at least have access to spuds and in that scenario those spuds will be worth more than Rolex watches as you cannot eat a Rolex watch, not without a Rolex AD’s permission anyway!

[oldoakknives]

..................

Civilisation is a thin veneer.

Scary thought.

[Matt8500]

My local pub is now offering groceries from their wholesalers because of these idiots. Great community spirit but shouldn’t be needed!

[Franky Four Fingers]

My local pub is now offering groceries from their wholesalers because of these idiots. Great community spirit but shouldn’t be needed!

In a small town of 11000 people ( last census ) with 7 shops of varying sizes there’s not 1 sheet of bronco to be had, a mate of a mate has been wiping his chad with the local gazette for the past week.

[MattH]

My local pub is now offering groceries from their wholesalers because of these idiots. Great community spirit but shouldn’t be needed!

Mine to (Elite pubs) - along with takeout delivery / collection , beer and wines.

Also some of the local butchers/grocers (if you still have them) are teaming up to provide such food hampers.

[Robbo12]

I'm off to weekly shop tomorrow, I will go early but I bet there will be nothing or I will have to wait in line!
It is absolute madness and something needs to be done!
Is this going to go on all YEAR potentially .

[Kingstepper]

I'm off to weekly shop tomorrow, I will go early but I bet there will be nothing or I will have to wait in line!
It is absolute madness and something needs to be done!
Is this going to go on all YEAR potentially .

Never did weekly shop and certainly won’t work in these circumstances.

[raysablade]

The wife returned from Lidl this morning, no queue and with everything she wanted. Seems it’s no quite big enough for the dedicated shelf clearers and too much of a walk for everyone else.

She’d been very upset by the state she found Waitrose in last night.

[mrushton]

Morrisons nr. me was quiet at 12.30. Staff were stocking shelves and were relieved as the madness had gone (for the moment). Some things not in, yeast, flour, paper goods eg loo roll, tinned goods eg butter beans, tuna etc Milk limited to 3 pp (good). Went past the Tesco in Greenfield nr.Oldham and the car park looked full at 9.30am. Supermarkets knocking their hours back to 8-8 (not sure about 24hr ones). Apparently notebooks were a popular item - sold out!!

[Mr G Imp]

Without being rude I am quite surprised that some folk are surprised, regarding the panic buying bog roll and for some reason, eggs. Perhaps they are hoping to become egg bound and save on the bog roll.

[Mr Curta]

Supermarkets should reserve overnight stock and close at 3pm to reload the shelves for those who can only visit after work. Lidl had most things that are being panic bought at 8:30am yesterday morning (bog paper, hand wash, pasta, baked beans, paracetamol, fresh veg) and were rationing it strictly, but I bet it was all gone by 10am regardless.

[MartynJC (UK)]

Why are people stock piling fresh veg - it'll end up in the recycle bin soon enough??? I bet most of them don't even know how to boil a carrot, or know the difference between a courgette or a cucumber. Madness - it really is.

Save a thought for all those working in PCWorld etc - not all shops are closed (yet).

[BillyCasper]

Why are people stock piling fresh veg - it'll end up in the recycle bin soon enough??? I bet most of them don't even know how to boil a carrot, or know the difference between a courgette or a cucumber. Madness - it really is.

Save a thought for all those working in PCWorld etc - not all shops are closed (yet).

Any recipes for onion (Tesco) and melon (M&S)?




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[Passenger]

Why are people stock piling fresh veg - it'll end up in the recycle bin soon enough??? I bet most of them don't even know how to boil a carrot, or know the difference between a courgette or a cucumber. Madness - it really is.

Save a thought for all those working in PCWorld etc - not all shops are closed (yet).

Picalilli makers perhaps.

[bigvic]

We have all the big supermarkets bar Asda and Morrison’s fairly close to us but we usually just walk to the local baker (British Pie Award winner 2020 ), a wonderful butchers & a small Co-op. The Co-op has started to run low on fresh fruit and veg but there’s a decent farm shop a short drive away. The only thing we will run low on soon is loo roll.

That is our usual shopping habit, item for item it probably works out slightly dearer but we find we only buy things we need rather than things the big supermarkets want us to buy, plus we get a little bit of exercise into the bargain.

[KNog]

As a tight yorkshireman I've always bought more than needed whenever it's been cheap. As a side effect we've always got enough to last probably a good month or so without any deliberate stocking up. That people are worried about not having loaves of bread on demand amazes me. The bog roll is ludicrous, if it really hits the fan stick the shower head on full blast.

People should be avoiding shopping, to that end stockpiling (to a reasonable extent) makes sense.

If you want to be able to shop every other day then social distancing isn't somthing you're that invested in.

[Templogin]

All those knobbers living on canned foods will be easy to spot by their scurvy.

[Plug]

I struggle to understand the whole toilet roll thing, it's not like the squits is a normal symptom of coronavirus. But it's silly, I've been out to the supermarket a couple of times this week (as I normally do, because we only buy for a few days at a time and steadfastly refuse to stockpile) and the shelves are bare. Madness.

We've got enough arsewipe to last for a few more days, so I'm not worrying yet. Hopefully things will stabilise. Failing that, as a last resort we've got literally hundreds of books in the house, and they're just going to have to take one for the team. Tens of thousands of nice thin sheets of paper. I doubt the sort of mouth-breathers who are hoarding at the moment are big readers, so good luck to them trying to wipe their backsides on their smartphones.

Strange times.

Plug

[Mr Curta]

There's more than enough to go around. Once everyone realises that they can still get everything that they need they will revert to normal shopping patterns and the shelves will refill. The supermarkets can expect a bit of a downturn when this eventually comes to an end and the stockpiles get used.

[subseastu]

There's more than enough to go around. Once everyone realises that they can still get everything that they need they will revert to normal shopping patterns and the shelves will refill. The supermarkets can expect a bit of a downturn when this eventually comes to an end and the stockpiles get used.

I hope you're correct and people do realise there is enough to go round. I don't see it though. People are very selfish and self centered these days (not everyone obviously but enough to influence things). I honestly blame social media for a large part of it. The "look at me" nature of everything, people don't care about anyone outside their immediate circle

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[Franky Four Fingers]

As a tight yorkshireman I've always bought more than needed whenever it's been cheap. As a side effect we've always got enough to last probably a good month or so without any deliberate stocking up. That people are worried about not having loaves of bread on demand amazes me. The bog roll is ludicrous, if it really hits the fan stick the shower head on full blast.

People should be avoiding shopping, to that end stockpiling (to a reasonable extent) makes sense.

If you want to be able to shop every other day then social distancing isn't somthing you're that invested in.

You have to shop every other day or so, hows a family of 4 getting enough in their trollies to last a week?

[Christian]

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavir...paper-11952397

I put the panic buying of toilet roll down to the fact that the majority of people are fundamentally controlled by their “inner chimp”, particularly in a situation of uncertainty. They act emotionally and impulsively, without rational thought or consideration. There is no reason to require excess toilet roll but the fear of going without (driven by others buying it because it’s something we can buy that wont go off) drives the impulsiveness to stockpile.

[vulcangascompany]

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavir...paper-11952397

I put the panic buying of toilet roll down to the fact that the majority of people are fundamentally controlled by their “inner chimp”, particularly in a situation of uncertainty. They act emotionally and impulsively, without rational thought or consideration. There is no reason to require excess toilet roll but the fear of going without (driven by others buying it because it’s something we can buy that wont go off) drives the impulsiveness to stockpile.

Exactly - a couple of days ago a friend (who admittedly is a bit of a lush) put 3 bottles of Cava in her trolley, a few others seeing her doing this came over to see and started putting the same bottles into their trolley..madness..exactly "without rational thought"....

[Sahara]

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavir...paper-11952397

I put the panic buying of toilet roll down to the fact that the majority of people are fundamentally controlled by their “inner chimp”, particularly in a situation of uncertainty. They act emotionally and impulsively, without rational thought or consideration. There is no reason to require excess toilet roll but the fear of going without (driven by others buying it because it’s something we can buy that wont go off) drives the impulsiveness to stockpile.

I put the panic buying of toilet roll down to the fact that every time someone sneezes ten people around them shit themselves.

[Mr Curta]

[BillyCasper]

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavir...paper-11952397

I put the panic buying of toilet roll down to the fact that the majority of people are fundamentally controlled by their “inner chimp”, particularly in a situation of uncertainty. They act emotionally and impulsively, without rational thought or consideration. There is no reason to require excess toilet roll but the fear of going without (driven by others buying it because it’s something we can buy that wont go off) drives the impulsiveness to stockpile.

The toilet roll thing was explained to me as something along the lines of human and animal intuitive behaviour. There’s a psychological connection between disease, dirt, bodily acts and emissions, disgust and wanting to clean to stay safe. So I guess the behaviour is buy bog roll, it helps to keep you clean and therefore safe from what’s happening. Similar to ritual ablutions, dog licking its arse, have you cleaned behind your ears, have you got a clean hanky.

Have no idea whether this is right or wrong, I’m sure one of the forum polymaths will pull me up if it’s twaddle.

Don’t use anything else it blocks the foul water drains. I’m thinking an improvised bidet with the garden hose.


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[reecie]

The toilet roll thing was explained to me as something along the lines of human and animal intuitive behaviour. There’s a psychological connection between disease, dirt, bodily acts and emissions, disgust and wanting to clean to stay safe. So I guess the behaviour is buy bog roll, it helps to keep you clean and therefore safe from what’s happening. Similar to ritual ablutions, dog licking its arse, have you cleaned behind your ears, have you got a clean hanky.

Have no idea whether this is right or wrong, I’m sure one of the forum polymaths will pull me up if it’s twaddle.

Don’t use anything else it blocks the foul water drains. I’m thinking an improvised bidet with the garden hose.


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It's apparently to do with a perceived lack of control or knowledge. I.e. what will happen and how long it will last. The governement messages have been fairly woolly as opposed to decisive and commanding. People want to have some sort of control over something. Bog roll is big and stand out in shelves and non-perishable. Then once a certain thing goes there is a cascade effect as more news appears and more things start to vanish. At worst you could probably cover 14 days worth of stuff to cater for any isolation period.

[KNog]

You have to shop every other day or so, hows a family of 4 getting enough in their trollies to last a week?

3 of our 5 are only little but still, this must beat weight watchers hands down.

[Mr Curta]

You have to shop every other day or so, hows a family of 4 getting enough in their trollies to last a week?

Family of four here, plus a bit of shopping for elderly family - I'm finding small local shops a godsend with reasonable stock levels and not many customers at any one time. You can't do a 'big shop' as quantities are still restricted but I can quickly grab enough for the next few days. Shopping for a week is out of the question.

I've been to most 'big' supermarkets in the past few days to see the differences, anticipating the need to be quick and targeted as this thing spreads. Around here Tesco and Sainsburys were by far the worst for selfish grabby vultures, Aldi and Lidl were very well stocked in the mornings but crowded with people who seemed to have no concept of social distance and checkout queues were long. Asda fell somewhere in-between. Waitrose was fine if you wanted Lindt chocolate, avocados and fresh tulips; I bought a lovely honeydew melon. Actually the bread and vegetables on offer were very good but there were no basic items. Our local Coop is always quiet and will definitely have something that can be rustled up into a decent meal so I can always swing by there and take pot luck.

I've been to countries with a lot less on the shelves.

[Rodder]

Family of four here, plus a bit of shopping for elderly family - I'm finding small local shops a godsend with reasonable stock levels and not many customers at any one time. You can't do a 'big shop' as quantities are still restricted but I can quickly grab enough for the next few days. Shopping for a week is out of the question.

I've been to most 'big' supermarkets in the past few days to see the differences, anticipating the need to be quick and targeted as this thing spreads. Around here Tesco and Sainsburys were by far the worst for selfish grabby vultures, Aldi and Lidl were very well stocked in the mornings but crowded with people who seemed to have no concept of social distance and checkout queues were long. Asda fell somewhere in-between. Waitrose was fine if you wanted Lindt chocolate, avocados and fresh tulips; I bought a lovely honeydew melon. Actually the bread and vegetables on offer were very good but there were no basic items. Our local Coop is always quiet and will definitely have something that can be rustled up into a decent meal so I can always swing by there and take pot luck.

I've been to countries with a lot less on the shelves.

How many supermarkets have you been to!

[turbomolwi]

Our local asda receives stock at night time . So most products are available by morning . Morning first hour is only for elderly
Me and some other friends do shopping at the moment for elderly 80+ or working single women with kids in our community / locality for supply of their food needs on 2 days basis .

Maybe its best to start this in your local area, community so everyone have food on table .

[Robbo12]

Just returned from shops and was pleasantly surprised, busier than normal and some stuff missing Toilet rolls being 1, but with a little bit more running around to other shops, we got everything need.

Lady at the tills in the local Morrisons said they were queuing half way down the carpark at 7 am this morning ,waiting for the store to open. Very quite when I got there , the good news is they are limiting customers now in most shops .

[Christian]

What’s the toothpaste situation like? Not really too concerned about loo roll but would be worried about running out of toothpaste.

Do the masses worry about brushing their teeth or is it just their arses they get concerned about?

[Cynar]

Went to Aldi this morning and apart from pasta and bog roll pretty much everything was available.
Fingers crossed things are getting back to normal.

[aa388]

The shops will get back into a routine, There has been a lot of restrictions lifted over deliveries into supermarkets so they are getting more, the hauliers are dragging all driver and wagons into use. Give it a week and the situation will be a lot better. The problem will start when folk run out of money and can’t shop.


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[TaketheCannoli]

I needed to get a few bits of essentials for us and the elderly in-laws this morning. I drove past Aldi and the queue was unbelievable outside. That’s where I would normally shop but wasn’t prepared to stand in the queue. I drove on to Sainsbury’s and it was dead! I managed to get everything I went in for except Corn Flakes which I got at Tesco local.

The in-laws are a 50 mile round trip from us and I’m driving over midweek and on a weekend to deliver supplies.

[sjedwardz]

We have big Tesco , ASDA, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose all about 10-15 minutes drive away but have found the small local co-op and independent store has most things so we have been using them. We are also trying to support local businesses as much as we can.

Our local pub is run by a Thai family and they are doing takeaway so might treat ourselves to that tomorrow as we now have mother in law AND mum living with us.


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[Kingstepper]

We have big Tesco , ASDA, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose all about 10-15 minutes drive away but have found the small local co-op and independent store has most things so we have been using them. We are also trying to support local businesses as much as we can.

Our local pub is run by a Thai family and they are doing takeaway so might treat ourselves to that tomorrow as we now have mother in law AND mum living with us.


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Good luck!

[Geralt]

Got 90% of shopping at Sainsbury's yesterday but there were no loo rolls (not a problem), bread, toiletries or tinned stuff (other than soup!), very few biscuits and low frozen foods etc. Bakery was working, but no good to me as I don't have transport to call every day. Lots of other empty shelves that looked like they had not been restocked for days. Can't believe they were all emptied in the morning (could be wrong though!). Not many staff about re-stocking shelves either. Majority of people fannying about wondering what to buy instead of their usuals. As has been said, unstocked shelves are a clear signal for people to stockpile. Poor show by the supermarkets, but the cynic in me thinks panic buying helps boost profits. Supermarkets could, and should, have pulled their fingers out much sooner.

[adrianw]

Tesco and NHS employee’s get an hour tomorrow morning before opening time but they are not opening the tills till 10.00 because of the licensing laws, that is going to cause chaos when the stores open fully.

[Kingstepper]

Tesco and NHS employee’s get an hour tomorrow morning before opening time but they are not opening the tills till 10.00 because of the licensing laws, that is going to cause chaos when the stores open fully.

Why? Some stores already open before 10 for 'browsing'.

[Griswold]

Just watched a video taken in one supermarket, (didn't say which), which showed all the beer shelves stripped bare by customers except for one beer - Corona! Boxes of the stuff.

How stupid are people? Don't answer that..............

[Michael 38]

I remember a couple of weeks ago on Facebook a few Nuckle draggers showing pictures of half a supermarket they had just bought and boasting how they were going to be fine for the next 6 months

[Kingstepper]

I remember a couple of weeks ago on Facebook a few Nuckle draggers showing pictures of half a supermarket they had just bought and boasting how they were going to be fine for the next 6 months

Knuckle.