Tesco stores in Wick and Thurso introduce 'buying limits'
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Supermarket giant Tesco would not confirm that its Wick store was forced to close temporarily earlier this week due to an influx of customers.
The combination of the run-up to Christmas, the closure of the French border and fears over Brexit have led more people across the country to stock up on essential goods.
Photos of empty shelves from supermarkets around Britain have been shared widely on social media over the last few days – a reminder of the early days of lockdown in March
Tesco said this week that it was restricting the sale of some products. The supermarket chain introduced "buying limits" on items including toilet roll, eggs, rice, soap and handwash.
Customers at its stores are now limited to one item per person of toilet roll, and up to three products of eggs, rice, soap and handwash.
The move comes as almost 3000 lorries remain stranded in Kent after restrictions on travel and freight between the UK and France were introduced.
It is understood the extra limits are pre-emptive measures to help smooth demand in the coming weeks rather than a reaction to shortages or a change in buying behaviour.
These are on top of a three-item limit on essential items such as flour, dried pasta and anti-bacterial wipes which has been in place for several months.
In an email to customers it said the move is to make sure "everyone has access" to the products.
A Tesco spokesperson said: "As well as increasing our online deliveries in Wick and Thurso, there are more click and collect slots than ever at our Wick store.
"To help with social distancing, our Wick store has traffic lights on entry. In Thurso there is a manual count to ensure we don’t have too many customers in at the one time."
The spokesperson added that to help make the shopping experience "as fun and safe as possible" both stores also have:
- Store greeters
- Sanitation points
- A cap on customer numbers in store
- Signage on mask wearing
- Perspex screens at till points
The supermarket also encourages customers to shop alone to help with social distancing in stores.
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