Woolworths and Coles have introduced purchase limits on some products at some stores in Queensland and New South Wales.
It comes after supply chains were disrupted due to cut-off roads and flooded stores, and warehouses were forced to close following the record-breaking rainfall in recent days.
Woolworths has introduced two-pack purchase limits on several categories in affected stores, including fresh milk, meat and medicine, and one-pack limits on toilet paper and still water.
“The loss of key transport links because of flooding will regrettably have an impact on product availability in different parts of Queensland,” Woolworths general manager for Queensland, Danny Baldwin, said.
Coles has put limits on paper towels, tissues, flour, rice, milk, water, meat, toilet paper and medicines.
Coles Chief Operations Officer Matthew Swindells told Sunrise the product limits are in place at multiple stores “to make sure that our customers can get the essentials that they need.”
He said on Wednesday around “150 stores across Coles supermarkets, express and our liquor business at some point or another have had to close” due to flooding.
“About 1000 of our team members aren’t able to safely access their work.”
Woolworths says the limits apply in the following Northern NSW stores, while other stores remain closed: Ballina Fair, Ballina River Street, Byron Bay, Cabarita, Casino, Goonellabah, Kingscliff, Lennox Head, Lismore Central, Lismore Square, Mullumbimby, Tweed Heads, Tweed City.
Customers are also advised to check with their local supermarket.
Previously, supply chain issues have been felt across the entire eastern seaboard.
Supermarket struggles
Mr Swindells said the supermarket giant is working hard to restock shelves and restore supply lines
“The train line that runs into far-north Queensland out of Brisbane and south out of New South Wales, that’s gone,” he said.
“We’ve got trucks loaded with stock ready to go. If we can find a way safely, then we’re ready to go.
“We’ll do the clean-up and then restock as fast as possible.”
Extracted from 7news
