Shoppers keep calm and return to normal

Panic buying has started to slow in supermarkets across WA, giving exhausted retail workers a chance to replenish stocks after a frenzied period of trading.

It started with a bizarre sell-out of toilet paper and snowballed into pasta, canned goods and UHT milk shortages.

The supply chain was thrown out of whack after shoppers were caught hoarding products – an act the Prime Minister called “un-Australian”.

The behaviour forced supermarkets to place limits and restrictions on popular items to try to ration them out accordingly.

Brunswick IGA Xpress owner Alpesh Patel said shoppers had started to calm down in recent weeks, despite a busy month of trading.

“It has not been as hectic and the panic buying has started to slow,” Mr Patel said.

He hoped the good behaviour would continue and said there was enough stock for everyone.

“There is absolutely no need to panic buy,” he said.

Mr Patel said hand sanitiser and soaps had also been hit hard as people upped their hygiene routines in the hope of avoiding COVID-19.

The Brunswick store owner said alcohol sales were through the roof before the State Government put a limit in place.

Liquor stores will continue to trade, however heavy restrictions have been laid down and severe penalties apply.

The daily limit is one carton of beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits or three bottles of wine or one litre of spirits or fortified wine or a combination of two, but not the same product.

Mr Patel said the IGA store had started a delivery service to Brunswick and Roelands.