Andy Brian reacts on The Guardian to Covid-related supermarket panic buying

Andy Brian, partner at Gordons and an expert in retail, has commented in The Guardian, reacting to news that Morrisons has become the first large supermarket to reintroduce limits on purchases as the UK prepares for a possible second wave of COVID-19.

He said: “The issue six months ago, when the UK went into full lockdown, was not with the supply of products but coping with excess demand as shoppers were bulk buying to prepare for the worst. As it turned out, food stores did not close, and there is even less chance that food stores will close if there is another lockdown.

“This reintroduction of limits on purchases for essential items is nothing for shoppers to be concerned about, it’s simply a way for supermarkets to mitigate unnecessary spikes in demand and ensure that products remain on the shelves and available to purchase.

“I would expect it to come with guidance from supermarkets that there is no need to panic buy, as we heard last time around. Hopefully, shoppers will adopt a calmer approach than earlier in the year and continue to shop as normal.”

Read Andy’s comments on The Guardian here.