Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci has said Australian supermarket shoppers have entered into a “new normal” as coronavirus restrictions bring about major changes to the way we shop.
In an email to customers on Friday afternoon,Mr Banducci thanked customers for maintaining social distancing in stores and provided an update on product availability.
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Woolworths boss says Australian supermarket shoppers have entered into a “new normal”.Renee Nowytarger
The major supermarket has removed purchasing limits on canned vegetables,canned legumes,serviettes and most baby products,though noted limits on high demand products like toilet paper and hand sanitiser remained.
This was despite the company shipping in another 1.5 million units of sanitiser,along with 500,000 packets of pasta.
“These are big quantities but with demand still high,supply will remain patchy in parts,” Mr Banducci warned.
Toilet paper supply has still not returned to normal,though it continues to improve,with Woolworths “only” selling 11.5 million rolls over the course of the week.
Australians were also exhibiting different shopping habits brought on by increased time at home. Shoppers are visiting supermarkets less often,but buying more when they do,Mr Banducci noted.
More of us are shopping in the mornings,and are showing an increased demand for breakfast,baking,cleaning and personal care products.
Traffic to recipes on Woolworths’ website has also doubled. And while more home deliveries were becoming available,demand still remains high,Mr Banducci said,though the supermarket boss was buoyed by the 30,000 community pick-up orders received over the last week.
“As we collectively confront the ‘new normal’,I am continually reminded that we are all in this together,and that it is only by being better together that we can succeed,” he said.