Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
Shopper research conducted for the IGD over last weekend (6-8 August) found that 56% of adults claimed to have experienced some shortages, up from 48% the week before.
Concern is now highest in Northern Ireland (74%), London (63%) and the North East (61%).
Claimed shortages remain highest for fresh produce (27% against 17% last week).
Other higher-ranking categories include fresh meat or fish (16%), dairy (13%), tins and packaged foods, soft drinks (11% each), and bakery and household paper (10% each).
More people (32%) also said that they have recently felt the need to stock up more than usual, up from 27% a week before.
Despite the public fears, the IGD says that there remain sufficient food supplies within the distribution system and that impact on availability “has been limited to date”.
The effects of staff absences – of delivery drivers and shop staff – should now diminish, as from next week nearly all adults in the UK will no longer have to self-isolated just because they have been a close contact of someone with Covid-19.
Wales stopped this policy on 7 August, Scotland on 9 August and England will follow on Monday (16 August).
The Northern Ireland Executive is due to meet to consider the requirements for self-isolating.
