Yahoo Finance Supermarkets admit to milk and bread shortages as 'Beast from the East' leaves shelves bare
Britain’s major supermarkets are still struggling to get supplies through to many stores as the Beast from the East shows it has a sting in its tail.
Customers from Devon to Scotland and many points between are reporting shortages of everyday essentials such as bread, milk and eggs.
Many have posted images on social media of shelves stripped bare of food.
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Supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and the Co-op say they are working hard to get deliveries through to areas so badly hit by last week’s heavy snowfalls.
They admit that there are cases of “localised” shortages but insist there is little evidence of widespread issues.
Jo Neary posted an image of bare shelves in her local Asda in Glasgow, adding: “The major roads were pretty clear yesterday, so we thought we should have another look for bread and milk (as we have half a pint left). We were greeted with this display at 6pm…”
The major roads were pretty clear yesterday, so we thought we should have another look for bread and milk (as we have half a pint left). We were greeted with this display at 6pm… pic.twitter.com/KJj6TCCYVR
— Jo Neary (@joanne_neary) March 5, 2018
Helena Young wrote on Twitter that she had gone “five days without bread and milk” and was beginning to “crave” toast and tea:
Day 5 without bread and milk and I’m begging to crave toast and tea. I don’t even drink tea daily but you really don’t know what you’re missing until it’s gone #snowday
— (@_helenayoung_) March 5, 2018
Other were angry that despite the widespread warnings of disruption, local authorities appeared to be ill-prepared for the snow.
Still no #bread or #MILK for days #Tesco #Gateshead why are we so #unprepared #GreatBritain no grit on the street for people to use now after a week of snow we are going to get a week of flooding and a bet the #uk is still unprepared @theresa_may PULL YOUR FINGER OUT !!! pic.twitter.com/Jy6ASWjlAu
— anthony magneron (@AnthonyMagneron) March 4, 2018
Robert Christie posted:
Nae chance of panic buying in @asda two days and still no milk, bread of vegetables. There is no snow anymore, roads cleared. #panicbuying #naechance #asdabearsden #asda pic.twitter.com/BNSsAZtG3B
— Robert Christie (@xrobchristiex) March 4, 2018
Meanwhile, Sam West saw the funny side…
I survived the beast from the east without bread or milk! Lost half my body weight and had to eat my dog to survive but I made it through! Worst 2 days of my life!
— sam west (@SammWestt) March 5, 2018
The supermarkets said they were aware of some problems but that as the roads cleared, deliveries would be made.
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Tesco said it was “working hard to get deliveries in”, while Sainsbury’s said it was “restocking as quick as we can, with a lot of deliveries arriving yesterday and today, our stores are starting to look back to normal”.
An Asda spokesperson said: “Despite the weather having created some pretty difficult conditions, our colleagues are continuing the work hard to get deliveries through and keep our shelves stocked for our customers.”
The Co-Op said it expected stocks to return to normal as roads become passable again, while Morrisons added that the situation would improve very soon.
Meanwhile, the RAF has been called in to drop much-needed supplies to isolated communities in Cumbria that remain cut off five days after the worst of the snow.
Cumbria County Council expects it will be another 48 hours before roads are cleared fully, so a Chinook helicopter will drop food, coal, logs and electrical heating appliances to various areas.
