Shoppers are being reassured that limits on food are being eased at Harborough’s biggest supermarket

Shoppers are being reassured that limits on food are being eased at Market Harborough’s biggest supermarket.

Strict rationing was imposed at Sainsbury’s when shelves were stripped by panic buyers after the coronavirus crisis struck last month.

But the popular town centre superstore is now easing limits on most items as they rebuild stocks after the sudden wave of stockpiling seriously depleted supplies.

Mike Coupe, the Sainsbury’s chief executive, said they are now offering nearly 600,000 elderly and vulnerable customers nationwide priority booking to online delivery.

“We know many elderly and vulnerable people who need to self-isolate are relying on the kindness of family, friends and local communities to shop on their behalf and we encourage this.

“You wrote to tell me that product limits were a barrier to being able to shop for other people,” said Mike.

“We understand that it can be difficult to buy what you need and shop for someone else with the three-item product limit.

“We have now lifted buying restrictions on thousands of products and hope that this will help more of you to shop for others.

“I also want to reassure you that stock levels are now much better right across the store.

“We are keeping limits on the most popular items for now, including pasta, UHT milk, antibacterial products and some tinned and frozen foods.

“But you can now feel confident in shopping in our stores at any time of day and being able to find most of what you need.”

The Sainsbury’s national boss said they will now be introducing a new volunteer gift card and online voucher in the next week or two to make shopping for others easier.

“Many of you have also written to me to tell me about food banks and community groups near you that are struggling in this crisis.

“We know from our ongoing support of food banks that this is a particularly tough time for them right across the country,” added Mike.

“To help with this, we have donated £3million to Fareshare, who will use that money to distribute donated food to the people who need it the most.

“We are also partnering with Comic Relief and the BBC on The Big Night In which aims to raise money for people impacted by Covid-19.

“We’ll be sharing more information on this in stores and online.”