Revealed: The much-needed item that won't be returning to supermarket shelves for MONTHS as Australians in lockdown change their shopping habits
- Coles conceded it could take months for cleaning product supplies to return
- The supermarket giant has lifted restrictions on toilet paper and paper towels
- Chief executive Steven Cain said restoring disinfectant wipes would take time
- MasterChef-inspired home cooking, bulk alcohol tipped to rise in popularity
Coles has conceded it could take months for cleaning products and disinfectant wipes to return to its shelves.
The supermarket giant yesterday lifted the one-packet limit on toilet paper, following weeks of panic buying in March that saw fights break out in the aisles.
While retail activity returned to normal in April, Coles chief executive Steven Cain has conceded cleaning products, including wipes used to disinfect kitchens and bathrooms, were likely to remain in short supply for a while.
'A few weeks or months until we're fully restored,' he told reporters on Wednesday.
Coles has conceded it could take months for cleaning products to return to its shelves. Pictured is a Coles check-out worker cleaning the register at Collingwood in Melbourne on April 2, 2020
While retail activity returned to normal in April, Coles chief executive Steven Cain has conceded disinfectant cleaning products, including wipes like Dettol pictured, were likely to remain in short supply for a while
'Last month, you couldn't get hold of a bottle of sanitiser for love nor money but that's now generally available.
'There's been an extraordinary response from the supply base but it will take some time to just to work through the system.'
Consumers are also clamouring for fresh produce as they are forced to stay home.
New Australian Bureau of Statistics inflation data showed vegetable prices surged by 9.1 per cent in the March quarter alone.
Coles also expected demand to remain strong for vegetables and cake mix as Australians working from home and in lockdown did more cooking and baking.
April sales have returned to normal, following a record spike in March, as coronavirus travel restrictions sparked the panic buying of toilet paper, pasta and rice.
'Sales at supermarkets in April returned to pre-COVID levels as customers working and staying at home did more home cooking, baking from scratch, inspired by MasterChef,' Mr Cain said.
Demand was also expected to remain strong for vegetables as Australians working from home and in lockdown opted for healthier options. Coles is expecting its consumers to cook more MasterChef-style dishes at home. Pictured is contestant Khanh Ong
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'Restrictions on purchases are gradually being lifted as demand eases and supply improves including this week the now-iconic toilet roll.'
Coles yesterday lifted its one-pack limit on toilet paper and paper towels, but two-item limits per customer remain on pasta, eggs, tinned tomatoes and frozen vegetables.
Mr Cain said shoppers were buying less wine at more than $20 a bottle and opting for more bulk purchases of alcohol.
'We are very conscious that value will be high on the agenda,' Mr Cain said.
Its grocery sales soared 13.8 per cent between January 6 and March 29, when compared with the same period in 2019, as coronavirus case numbers peaked.
Mr Cain said shoppers were buying less wine at more than $20 a bottle and opting for more bulk purchases of alcohol. 'We are very conscious that value will be high on the agenda,' Mr Cain said
Coles sales in its supermarkets alone added up to $8.23billion during the third quarter - more than the combined takings from its grocery, liquor and Express service station outlets during the same period last year.
Mr Cain said the quarterly surge was the highest its history as panic buying from late February resulted in 'extraordinary' March sales.
'Trading was strong pre-COVID-19,' he said.
'Panic buying then resulted in an extraordinary March sales spike leading to the highest quarterly sales growth in Coles history.'
Alcohol was also in demand, with Liquorland sales climbing by 6.1 per cent to $740million, with bottle shops allowed to continue operating during the government-mandated coronavirus shutdowns of non-essential businesses from March 24.
Coles Express, which also sells Shell-branded petrol, saw a five per cent increase in sales to $256million.
The third quarter sales of Coles's supermarket, liquor and service station businesses climbed by 12.9 per cent to $9.226billion, up from $8.173billion in early 2019.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released last week showed a record 8.2 per cent spike in retail sales during March.
It was the highest monthly increase in records going back to 1982 and surpassed the 8.1 per cent surge of June 2000, the month before the 10 per cent Goods and Services Tax came into effect.
