In an unprecedented advertising campaign, the chains have said they are working round the clock to keep shelves stocked and ensure families have the food and essentials they need. But they warned that if customers don’t stop hoarding and buying more than they need the elderly, vulnerable and the housebound will be the ones to lose out. In a joint letter to the nation’s shoppers released through the British Retail Consortium, they said it was recognised that many Britons were worried about the spread of Covid-19.

In a bid to reassure customers they said they were working with the government and suppliers to ensure stock gets to stores as fast as possible and those with online delivery and click-and-collect services were running at full capacity. 

But retailers also needed shoppers to help too and said: “We would ask everyone to be considerate in the way they shop. 

“We understand your concerns but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without. 

“There is enough for everyone if we all work together. Together we can make sure we are looking out for family, friends, neighbours. 

“Together we will care for those around us and those who are elderly, vulnerable or choosing to remain at home. 

“We are doing all we can to rise to this challenge. 

“Serving you and keeping you and everyone who works with us safe will always be our priority.” 

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of BRC, said: “Retailers are working incredibly hard to keep shops well stocked and deliveries running as smoothly as possible. In the face of unprecedented demand as a result of coronavirus, food retailers have come together to ask their customers to support each other to make sure everyone can get access to the products that they need.” 

Tomorrow Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to convene a further meeting with supermarket chief executives to discuss progress so far and get an update on their plans to keep the nation’s food supply resilient. 

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also said restrictions on lorry driver hours could be relaxed while still maintaining checks and balances on safety to ensure that there are enough drivers available to get the supplies through. 

Yesterday panic buying continued with queues forming at supermarkets and Ocado and Sainsbury’s websites crashed because of the huge volume of people trying to organise their home deliveries. 

Store shelves were cleared of toilet roll, kitchen towels and supplies of cleaning products had been snapped up. 

Major shopping areas such as Oxford Street in the heart of London and malls right across the country were deserted as people stayed at home. 

Apple announced that all its stores outside China will be shut as staff at its Regent Street store in London turned away shoppers telling them it would not reopen until March 27. 

But as shelves were stripped bare, former Labour MP Luciana Berger tweeted: “Man in Golders Green Sainsbury’s wouldn’t give an elderly lady just one of a number of (the last) packets of dry pasta he had grabbed. He said ‘no’ when she asked him politely. Very upsetting. 

“We need a national kindness effort to look out for the elderly, infirm & vulnerable #BeKind.” 

Online supermarket Ocado also announced it had stopped home deliveries for new customers prioritising existing ones instead. 

In a message to shoppers it said it “had made the call to temporarily prioritise deliveries” for existing customers “in this time of unusual demand” and would not process new customer bookings. 

But other retailers including Tesco confirmed it was continuing to make sure all its customers could get delivery slots. Sainsbury’s added: “We have not put any limits on new customers. It is first come first served.” 

Asda added: “Our website was down for 45 minutes on Friday but it is now up and running and we do have delivery slots available for the next week or so. 

“We are still restricting hand sanitisers to two per customer, but nothing else.” 

But many shoppers were left frustrated by the lack of delivery slots as Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman tweeted: “Sign of the times. Online shopping sites for @sainsburys and @Ocado have crashed; @Tesco first delivery slot in our area is in over a week’s time. 

“Could be a real issue for people self-isolating in weeks to come unless the supermarkets ramp things up. #coronavirus.” 

Tesco, along with many retailers, are also asking those customers who are self isolating to let them know so their shopping can be left by the door to avoid contact. 

Deliveroo and Uber Eats have also sent messages to its customers saying those in self isolation could instruct delivery riders where to drop off goods to avoid any contact. 

‘I’m not really panic buying but I bought extra’

Michelle Chalmers, 40, a housing officer 
I wouldn’t say I’ve been panic buying, I haven’t bought much more than I ordinarily would but a few extra things, tins of soup and things like that. 

I normally shop weekly but I’ve bought more at once, to last longer. 

It’s a good idea for the supermarkets to remind people to only get what they need. I’m particularly worried about medicines and things like that. We all need to stop and think. 

Judith Young, 51, a nurse 
I think panic buying is ridiculous. Everyone who panic buys is driving everyone else into panic buying. 

I really feel for the elderly and people who simply can’t afford to panic buy, who may be left unable to get what they want when they need it. I’m not worried about the supermarkets running out. There will probably be some things that we’ll just have to do without but it’s not going to be like the war. 

Steven Blake, 56, a delivery driver 
I’ve been to Asda, Morrisons, Boyes, Superdrug, and couldn’t get any toilet roll. I eventually managed to get some in Wilko. I hope the supermarket bosses do step in. It’s insane. 

Carol Chalmers, 66, a civil servant 
I’ve bought a couple of extra bits, odds and ends, but nothing major and haven’t panicked or stocked up. I’ve been thinking ahead a bit more. If I run out of something I would replace it sooner rather that later. 

The supermarkets should not just issue advice, they should actually restrict people, there should be limits on certain things. 

“I do a lot of baking so I know how to make a little go a long way. I cook meals to last the week and I’m not worried yet that the shops will run out of ingredients. 

Magesh Rajenthiran, 27, a student 
I am out shopping for hygiene products for myself, just for general washing and sanitising. I think hygiene is far more important than panic buying food and it would be a really good idea if the supermarkets stepped in and made people aware of the harm caused by panic buying. 

Mary Finnigan, 78, retired 
It’s pointless panicking. There’s people buying all of the toilet rolls but if there’s no food then they won’t need toilet roll will they? 

When the miners were on strike everyone was panic buying and you needed to make your own bread and things. As long as you can buy flour and ingredients you can make your own food. 

Glen Chaters, 24, a bricklayer 
It’s ridiculous the way people are panic buying. I have struggled to get pasta, toilet rolls, things like that. I just don’t know why people think they need so much. 

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